Srinagar, May 28: A Lashker-e-Toiba militant, active from March 26 this year, was killed in a gunfight with a joint team of police and security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Friday, officials said.
“At about 1500 hours, acting on a specific input regarding presence of (militants) in orchards of village Ganapora area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 44RR and 14Bn CRPF in the area,” a police spokesman said in a statement.
During the search operation, he said, as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given repeated opportunities to surrender, however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter, he said.
“In the ensuing encounter, one (militant) was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter.”
He has been identified as Aitmad Ahmad Dar resident of Awend Shopian. “He was linked LeT. As per police records, the killed (militants) was active since 26/03/2021 and was involved in several cases.”
The spokesman said arms and ammunition including one AK-56 rifle and other incriminating materials were recovered from encounter site.
“IGP Kashmir congratulates Police and security forces for conducting successful operation in professional manner without any collateral damage.”
Meanwhile, the spokesman said at about 1930 hours, a joint party of Police and security forces at Usmanabad Warpora area of Sopore while laying cordon of a suspected house was fired upon by militants to escape from the house during brief exchange of fire. “Reinforcements came and nearby orchard cordoned and search is going on. Further details shall follow,” he added.
