Fierce encounter erupts, militant surrenders in J

Srinagar, Sep 3 (UNI) A fierce encounter erupted between militants and security forces in north Kashmir while troops seized compact discs of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) founder Hafeez Sayeed from a group of infiltrators in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, official sources said today.

A Lashkar militant surrendered before security forces along with an AK rifle and two magazines today, they said, adding the ultra had infiltrated into this side from Balakote area of Poonch district along the Line of control (LoC).

The sources said a fierce encounter erupted between militants and security forces at Atmulla in Bandipora area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district this evening.

A report from Jammu, quoting police sources, said security forces seized CDs of LeT founder Hafeez Sayeed from a group of infiltrators during an encounter in the Poonch district recently.

Al Qaeda Chief Osama Bin Laden's provocative CDs were also seized from Gursai village in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district.

Hafeez Sayeed, currently in a Pakistani jail, changed the name of his organisation to 'Jamaat-ud-Dawa' after the LeT was banned by the US and Pakistan.

''The Lashkar chief was clearly heard provoking youths of the state to join 'jihad' and get arms training in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK),'' the sources added.

They said the CDs had been recorded and shot at Jamaat-ud-Dawa office at Chburgi, Lahore, bearing telephone numbers (042) 7240940, 7230549 and 7231106 and email address www.Jamatdawa.Org.

This was for the first time that the audio and video CDs of Hafeez Sayeed have been seized from the possession of slain ultras during the 17 years of militancy in the state, the sources said.

UNI AG-HGV SB HT2022