Top LeT commander killed in Pulwama encounter

A top LeT commander and an unidentified militant were eliminated in a gunbattle between security forces and militants in JK's Pulwama. Police have recovered arms and ammunition from the site and the search operation is still underway.

Pulwama: At least two militants, including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant outfit commander, were killed after an encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Dadoora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday. The slain commander has been identified as Zahid Tiger and was a local resident.

"LeT’s top commander Zahid Nazir Bhat also known as Zahid Tiger killed in today’s encounter at Pulwama," said Jammu and Kashmir Police.

According to reports, a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Dadoora following inputs about the presence of militants. As the joint team encircled the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The joint team retaliated triggering an encounter.

Official sources said that two militants were killed in a brief exchange of fire. However, their identity couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Meanwhile, searches are still going on at the encounter site. Police have recovered incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including two automatic rifles.

This is the second encounter in south Kashmir in less than 12 hours. Earlier, two militants were killed in an overnight gunfight with the security forces in Kulgam.

READ: Indian Army foils Pak-backed terrorists' bid to smuggle in weapons

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Indian Army thwarted an attempt by Pakistan-backed terrorists to smuggle in weapons from Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Indian Army personnel deployed at the Keran Sector of North Kashmir thwarted an attempt by Pakistan Army-backed terrorists to smuggle weapons from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the Indian Army said.

Four AK 74 rifles, eight magazines and 240 AK Rifle ammunition were also recovered.

With ANI inputs