Top Lashkar commander, 2 soldiers among 6 killed in J and K

Srinagar, July 18 (UNI) A top commander of Pakistan based Lashkar- e-Toiba (LeT) and two soldiers were among six people killed and 17 others injured while four militants were arrested in the Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda, Manohar Singh told UNI that a pre-dawn operation was launched by Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and state police in Haveli Mohalla, Bhaderwah following a tip off that a LeT commander, involved in the killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police Shally Singh was hiding in a house.

However, when the self commander Khalid alias Abu Umar, a resident of Pakistan, was challenged and asked to surrender, he opened fire and tried to escape.

Security forces also retaliated and in the fierce clash the commander was killed. one woman identified as Misra Begum, wife of Abdul Qayoom also lost her life in the cross firing, an official spokesman said here.

An AK rifle, three magazines, a binocular and grenades were among the large quantity of arms and ammunition recovered from the site of operation, he added.

He said militants ambushed an army convoy at Totian Wali Gali in Poonch district last night resulting in on the spot death of two soldiers and injuries to eight others. Militants later managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

An encounter took place between Village Defence Committee (VDC) members and militants at Baglana under police station Doda in which one militant Gul Mohammad was killed. One pistol and one hand grenade were recovered from the slain militant.

He said one Abdul Rahim was killed and 18 others were injured in a grenade blast at Baltal, Amarnath base camp last night.

Security forces arrested four militants in different search operations across the state during the past 24 hours.

UNI