Srinagar, July 18 (GNS): Two Lashker-e-Toiba militants were killed in a gunfight in Shopian district of south Kashmir late last night, officials said on Monday.
A police spokesman said that acting on specific information about presence of militants at village Check-i-Sidique Khan area of Shopian, a joint cordon-and-search-operation was launched by Police, army’s 34RR and 178BN CRPF in the area.
During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained, he said, they were given repeated opportunities to surrender. However, he said, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing gunfight, two militants of LeT identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Rashid Dar of Hafshirmal Shopian and Majid Iqbal Bhat son of Mohammad Iqbal Bhat of Melibagh Imamsahab, Shopian. Dar, he said, a top commander of LeT and had been active since 2017. He figured among the list of most wanted militants, he said.
The spokesman said that both the killed militants were part of groups involved in various militancy related cases.
Dar, he said, was also involved in killing of four police personnel at minority guard Zainapora on 11 December 2018 and killing of two non-local drivers in Chittrigam Shopian on 24 October 2019. Moreover, on his behest two youth namely Asif Lone resident of Khudwani Kulgam and Abdul Rashid Thoker of Hussanpora Arwani joined the militant ranks, the spokesman said.
Two AK-47 rifles and eight magazines were recovered from the site of encounter, he said.
IGP Kashmir congratulated joint team of Police and security forces for conducting successful operation in professional manner without any collateral damage. (GNS)
