LET commander among 3 militants killed in gunfights

SRINAGAR:: Three militants, including a top Lashkar-e-taiba commander, were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Shopian and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, police said.

Police said security forces had launched a search operation based on specific inputs about the presence of militants in Chitragam village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. “The operation turned into a gunfight after militants fired on a search party, who retaliated. In the ensuing exchange of fire, a militant was killed,” the official said, adding that the operation was underway.

A senior police officer said more militants could be hiding in the village.

In another encounter at Ganipora Kralgund of Kupwara district, two unidentified militants were gunned down by the security forces. An army spokesman said the joint operation was launched late evening in the orchards of Ganipora. “The cordon was laid and contact established. In the firefight, two militants were eliminated. The operation is in progress,” he added.

Inspector general of police (IGP Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said a top Lashkar-e-taiba commander identified as Naseer ud din Lone who was involved in the killing of three CRPF personnel in Sopore in April and