LeT commander among four militants killed in Doda

Jammu, Mar 19 (UNI) A self-styled 'district commander' of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was among four militants killed, including a Pakistan national, while one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of Army and two policemen were wounded in the gun-battle today in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The encounter with the militants started during a search operation launched by a joint coloumn of 26 Rashtriya Rifles (KUMAON), 159 TA battalion and state police in Gandoh area of Doda this morning, Defence spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami told UNI.

The troops were fired upon by the militants hiding at Gowari, he said, adding, ''The fire was equally retaliated in which four Lashkar militants were gunned down.'' One of the slain militants was identified as Lashkar's ''district commander'' Imtiaz Ahmed alias Abudarah while others included Abu Sageer (Pakistan national), Mehnawaz and Sadam, the spokesman said.

Troops also recovered four AK series of rifles, one Pika gun, four Chinese grenades and incriminating material from the possession of the militants.

In the encounter, sources said, one JCO and two police personnel were also wounded.

''They (wounded security officials) were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment,'' sources added.

Army had been following this group of militants in the area for the quite sometime on the basis of specific information, sources said.

UNI VJ AKJ BST1812