Top Pak LeT commander among 3 militants killed in Pulwama encounter

Srinagar:Three Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, including a Pakistani commander, were killed by security forces in an encounter in south Kashmir district of Pulwama on Wednesday, police said.

A Police Spokesperson said that one of the slain terrorists was identified as LeT Commander Aijaz alias Abu Huraira, a resident of Pakistan, while two other militants were locals.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar congratulated the security forces for neutralizing the militants.

Acting on a specific information about the presence of militants, the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at New Colony main town Pulwama late Tuesday night.

A Police Spokesperson said that when the security forces were moving towards targeted area in the town, militants fired on the forces, who retaliated leading to an encounter.

He said residents in the nearby houses were immediately shifted to safer places and militants were asked to surrender.

Later, additional security forces were deployed to foil any attempt by militants to escape.

With the first light, this morning security forces again tried to move towards the area. Militants again fired on the forces, he said, adding that the security forces retaliated in which two unidentified militants were killed. Later, one more was killed, he said.

Meanwhile, security forces have also been deployed in the adjoining areas to maintain law and order.

Authorities suspended mobile internet service of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours.

Two LeT associates arrested in Budgam, ammunition recovered

Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) associates and recovered ammunition from them in central Kashmir district of Budgam.

A police official said that following specific information, a joint checkpoint was established by police and 53 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Railway bridge in Mohanpora, Budgam. “Security forces intercepted two persons at the checkpoint and during checking recovered incriminating material, including posters of LeT, live 30 rounds of AK 47 and seven rounds of Chinese pistol from them,” he said.

He said the arrested militant associates have been identified as Mohammad Ashraf Shaksaz and Mursaleen Maqbool Bhat. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested militant associates were providing shelter, logistics and other material support to militants,” he said.

He said the accused were also transporting arms and ammunition for LeT militants in various areas of Budgam. “The duo has been in touch with the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) militant commanders through various social media platforms and was also in constant touch with LeT self-styled commanders in Kashmir,” he said.

He said a case FIR number 207/2021 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Budgam and investigation into the matter has been initiated.(UNI)