Srinagar: A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and a foreigner were among three militants killed in an encounter with security forces in the apple township of Sopore in north Kashmir district of Baramulla on Monday.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar on Modnay said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at Gund Brath in Sopore late last night.
However, he said when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons. “The security forces, after given ample opportunity to the militants to surrender, retaliated, ensuing in an encounter,” he said.
He said that three militants were killed in the exchange of fire. “Two of the three slain militants have been identified as top LeT commander Mudasir Pandit and a foreigner Asrar alias Abdullah,” he said.
The IGP said that Mudasir Pandit was involved in killing of three policemen, two councillors and as many civilians recently. “The LeT commander was also involved in other militancy related incidents in the area,” he said.
Mr Kumar said Abdullah, a resident of Pakistan, was active since 2018 in north Kashmir. “Killing of LeT commander Mudasir is big relief for local population,” he added.
Official sources said that three AK rifles and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site.(UNI)