Top LeT commander Bashir Lashkari killed in an encounter

Srinagar: Two militants, including a top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir district of Anantnag. Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia told UNI that following specific information about presence of militants in village Bonagam Dayalgam in Anantnag, a joint search operation was launched by Army and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police in the area.

However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants opened fire with automatic weapons. The fire was returned ensuing in an encounter, he said, adding a woman was killed in the exchange of fire.

He said two militants were killed in the encounter, adding that two weapons were also recovered near the encounter site. “Search operation was still going on near the encounter site,” he added. Official sources told UNI that the slain militants have been identified as Bashir Ahmad Wani allies Bashir Lashker and Azad Ahmad Malik allies Dada. They said Bashir Lashker, a category A++ militant, was involved in the killing of six police personnel last month.

A youth was killed while several others were injured during clashes with security forces, which opened fire and burst teargas shells to disperse demonstrators, trying to break the security cordon and marching towards the encounter site. The clashes between protestors and security forces were still going on when the reports last came in. (UNI)