LeT commander resonsible for Rampur, Bangalore attacks killed in Kas

Srinagar, Jul 3 (UNI) A self-styled operation chief of Pakistan based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), the alleged mastermind behind the attacks on CRPF personnel at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh and Science Congress at Bangalore and another commander were killed in a fierce encounter by security forces in south Kashmir today, a senior police officer said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, S M Sahai told reporters this afternnon that a search operation was launched at village Naina Batpora in south Kashmir district of Anantnag today following a tip off that some top militant were hiding there.

Mr Sahai said state police alongwith CRPF and 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation. However, when the area was being sealed, militants attacked them with automatic weapons and also hurled grenades.

Security forces also retaliated and in the ensuing gun battle the two militants were killed.

He said, later one of the slain militants was identified as Abu Atif alias Shadak, resident of Gujranwalian, Pakistan and Syed Moin also a resident of Pakistan.

Large quantity of arms and ammunition including two AK rifles and magazine were recovered from the slain militants.

The IGP said Atif was active in the area for the last ten years and presently was operational chief of LeT outfit not only for the valley but also for carrying-planning attacks in different parts of the country.

He was instrumental in attacks on CRPF personnel at Rampur, and at Science Congress in Bangalore by supplying arms to the militants who actually carried the attacked.

Besides killing of Station House Officer of Police Station Pampore Police Station, Inspector Manzoor Ahmad in the year 2006 and killing of a computer operator Qazi at Pampore, Atif was also responsible for killing of at least fifty civilians and security force personnel in South Kashmir Range.

The IGP further said Atif was also responsible for grenade attack on tourists in Shalimar and Charsoo Sangam.

This is a big blow to the militant organisation.

UNI BAS ARB CS2007