Lashker commander, SPO among 7 killed, 5 ultras surrender in J

Srinagar, Apr 11 (UNI) A top commander of Pakistan based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), four militants and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were among seven people killed while five ultras surrendered immediately crossing into this side from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Jammu and Kashmir.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said on a tip-off, security forces cordoned off a village near Kokernag in south Kashmir this morning to nab the militants.

However, when the troops were approaching the hideout, militants opened fire and also hurled hand-grenades. The securitymen also retaliated and in the fierce clash a LeT commander Shahnawaz Bhat was killed.

One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant. Later, troops killed another militant at Gund Rahim, 6 km from Kokernag, he said, adding one soldier was also injured.

The spokesman said in a separate incident troops gunned down another militant at village Warno forest in north Kashmir today. The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants, he said.

Two AK rifles, two UBGL and two magzines were recovered from the slain militant.

Spokesman said troops of 7 Rashtriyra Rifle (RR) and 3 Para in a joint operation killed two militants at Wadwan this afternoon.

Both the militants, wanted in a number of militancy related incidents, were active for the past 10 years, he said.

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