Top commander among two LeT militants killed in Shopian

Srinagar:Two Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, including a top commander, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian on Monday.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar congratulated the forces for neutralizing the top commander Ishfaq Dar, alias Abu Akram, who was active since 2017.

A police spokesman said based on a tip-off, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF at Check Sadiq Khan in Shopian late Sunday night.

However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the cordoned off area, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. The security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.

Later, additional security forces were deployed to foil any attempt by militants to escape. The militants were repeatedly asked to surrender after local residents were moved to safer places.

A militant was killed in the initial exchange of fire this morning with the first light another militant was killed, the spokesman said.

He said the operation was still on when reports last came in.One of the slain militants was identified as Ishfaq Dar alias Abu Akram, a top LeT commander who was active since 2017. He was involved in a number of militancy-related incidents.

(UNI)