Security forces, militants engage in gun battle in Baramulla

Srinagar, Sept 2: An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Wednesday, police said. One jawan has been killed.

On specific information about the presence of militants in Rafiabad area of the district, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation at 7 am, a police official said. He said as the security forces were conducting search, militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

The official said according to intelligence reports, two militants belonging to Lashker-e-Islam (LeI) are believed to be holed up at the encounter site.

One of the holed up militants is believed to be Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, a close aide of Qayoom Najar. Both Najar and Kandoo are believed to have defied the command of Hizbul Mujahideen supremo Syed Salahuddin and have been operating under the shadow name of LeI outfit.

Both the militants carry a bounty of Rs 10 lakh each on their heads. They are accused of killing six persons, including separatist activists and former militants in Sopore town.

PTI