Top LeT Commander Killed In Baramulla Gunfight

Srinagar: A top Lashker-e-Toiba commander was killed in a gunfight with government forces in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Saturday.

“On a specific input regarding presence of (militants) in village Check-i-Saloosa Kreeri area of Baramulla, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 52RR and 176BN CRPF in the area,” a police spokesperson said in a statement issued here.

During the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained, the spokesperson they were given opportunity to surrender. However, he said, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.

“In the ensuing encounter, one (militant) was killed and his body was retrieved.”

Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told GNS that the slain was top commander of LeT and he identified him as Anees alias Chota Sultan of Pakistan.

“Sultan was active since 2018 and was operating in Sopore, Zangeer and Bandipore areas,” the top police officer of Kashmir said.

“Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other (militant) crimes,” the police spokesperson said.

The body would be sent to Baramulla for last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities including collection of DNA sample, he said.

“In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Kreeri and investigation has been initiated,” he said, adding, “People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any.”

This was second encounter in Baramulla district this week. According to officials, three militants, two army soldiers, as many CRPF men and an SPO of J&K police were killed in the previous gunfight at Kreeri. (GNS)