LeT commander, SPO killed, one ultra still holed up in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 25 (UNI) One of the two militants of Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba, holed up in a house in north Kashmir since yesterday, was killed by the security forces early this morning even as the fierce clash was still on.

One jawan of the Special Operation Group (SOG) of state police was killed and two, others, including a woman were injured in the encounter which started last evening at Nadihal, Bandipora.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Viplav Kumar said the operation against another militant still holed up in the house, was going on when the reports last came in.

Official sources said with the first light today, security forces and SOG launched an offensive against the militants, who were firing on them from a house, often changing positions.

They said security forces killed one of the holed up militants while another was still firing and hurling grenade.

The slain militant was identified as Abu Talha a LeT commander, reportedly a foreign national.

The encounter ensued after an SOG and security forces joint search party was about to storm a particular house yesterday afternoon. Two SOG jawans Waheed Ahmad and Shah Nawaz and a woman Dilshada were injured. The injured were admitted to hospital where Waheed succumbed to his injuries.

Sources said all the residents in the nearby houses were evacuated.

UNI