3 LeT men die in encounter, civilian killed in mishap

SRINAGAR : Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed and four security forces personnel injured in Srinagar as an encounter between militants and security forces on Saturday triggered protests and stone-pelting by locals. A civilian was also killed during a protest in Noorbagh, near the encounter site, when he was run over by a vehicle of the security forces.

SRINAGAR: Three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed and four security personnel were injured in an encounter in Srinagar on Saturday, triggering protests by locals.

A protester was also killed after he allegedly came under a police vehicle in nearby Noorbagh. Although police initially denied the charges, they later filed a case against the driver.

The encounter took place in the Chattabal area after security forces received inputs about the presence of LeT operatives. As the search by a CRPF-police team intensified, the militants began firing from a semi-constructed building in the locality.

“Encounter concluded in Chattabal Srinagar. Three bodies of terrorists recovered in a clean operation by J&K Police & CRPF. Well done boys,” director general of police Shesh Paul Vaid tweeted after the incident. Three CRPF personnel and an SPO were hurt.

Scores of youngsters earlier surrounded the encounter site and began throwing stones. A police spokesperson said the militants “intended to carry out a major terror attack in the near future”. Among the killed was Showkat Ahmad Tak, a district commander of LeT named by Army in its 12 most wanted militants list last year.

Separatist groups have called for a strike on Sunday to protest the civilian death.

THE ENCOUNTER TOOK PLACE IN THE CHATTABAL AREA AFTER SECURITY FORCES RECEIVED INPUTS ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF LET OPERATIVES