LeT district commander, 4 other militants killed in Pulwama encounter

Srinagar:Five Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants -- including a district commander -- were on Friday killed in an encounter which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

Terming these killings a 'big success' for security forces, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, said that LeT district commander Nishaz Lone and a Pakistani national were among five militants killed in the encounter.

Meanwhile, internet service of all cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been suspended in the district as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours.

A police official said that following specific information about the presence of militants in village Hanjin Rajpora in Pulwama, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir launched a joint CASO late Thursday night.

“After sealing all exit points, when the security forces were moving towards targeted house, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons,” he said.

Two soldiers of 44 RR were injured in the initial firing by militant, he said, adding one of the wounded jawan, identified as Havaldar Kashi Rao, later succumbed in the hospital.

He said the security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter, adding three LeT militants were killed in the exchange of fire. “Two more militants were later gunned down in the encounter, taking the death toll of ultras to five,” he added.

He said additional security forces remained deployed in adjoining areas to maintain law and order.(UNI)