Four militants killed in encounter in J-K's Shopian

Four militants associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba were on Monday killed during a night-long gunfight in the Manihal area of south Kashmir's Shopian district. Police claim to have recovered one AK-47 rifle and two pistols from the slain militants.

Srinagar: A week after the killing of top Jaish-e-Mohammad 'commander' Sajjad Afghani, four militants associated with Lashkar e Toiba were on Monday killed during a night-long gunfight in the Manihal area of south Kashmir's Shopian district. An army trooper too has received minor injuries during the gunfight.

"Four LeT militants have been neutralised today. So far six militants, including Sajjad Afghani, have been gunned down in the district. I congratulate Shopian police for being proactive," Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar told ETV Bharat.

He further said, "Unfortunately, an army jawan too was injured in the incident. He had received a bullet in the foot but he is stable. Otherwise, it was a clean operation."

Police claim to have recovered one AK-47 rifle and two pistols from the slain militants.

According to the police sources, the slain militants have been identified as Aamir Shafi, Rayees Bhat, Aquib Malik, and Altaf Wani. All were residents of Shopian and new recruits.

Earlier, a joint team of Police, Army and 178 BN of CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Manihal.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight.