LeT commander among 2 militants killed in Srinagar encounter

Srinagar:A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander, a Pakistani national, was among two militants killed in an encounter, which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the summer capital, Srinagar, on Monday.

Official sources said that following specific information about presence of militants last night, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group of J&K police and CRPF at Barzulla in uptown Srinagar on Monday morning.

However, they said when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons. "The security forces retaliated, ensuing in an encounter," they said.

They said security forces were deployed in strength in adjoining areas to maintain law and order, adding that two militants were killed in the encounter. 

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that Saifullah, a Pakistani national was among two militants, trapped at Barzulla. "The Pakistani militant was responsible for attack on CRPF at Nowgam in Srinagar last week that left two jawans dead and three others injured," Mr Kumar told reporters near the Srinagar encounter site.

He said the other trapped militant was a Pulwama resident. "Saifullah is affiliated to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)," he said, adding the militant is also responsible for an attack on CRPF at Chadoora in Budgam in which an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was killed in September.(UNI)