Jammu and Kashmir: Top LeT militant killed, 3 soldiers injured in Baramulla encounter

Srinagar: A top Lashkar-e-Toiba militant commander was killed and three soldiers were wounded in the ongoing gun battle in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday, officials said.

Kashmir's Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said LeT's top commander Yousuf Kantroo was killed in Baramulla encounter and his killing is a huge success for the security forces.

"..He was involved in several #killings of civilians & SFs personnel including recent killing of JKP's SPO & his brother, one Soldier and one civilian in #Budgam district," IGP was quoted in a police tweet.

Police said the gun battle erupted at Malwah village of Baramulla during a cordon and a search operation in the area following an input about the presence of militants there.

As the joint team of security forces cordoned the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire triggering a gunfight. In the initial gunfight three soldiers were wounded, police said.

“ In the ensuing gunfight a terrorist was killed,” a police officer said, adding the operation is in progress.

The gun battle in Baramulla village broke out just days after an independent Sarpanch was killed in the district. On April 15, Sarpanch Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo was shot dead at Goshbugh area of Pattan Baramulla. (UNI)