Top commander among 2 LeT militants killed in Shopian

SRINAGAR – Two Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, including a top commander, were killed by security forces in an encounter in Shopian in south Kashmir during the night intervening Sunday and Monday.
The operation has concluded with the killing of both the militants hiding there, officials said.
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar have congratulated the security forces for neutralizing the top commander Ishfaq Dar alias Abu Akram, who was active since 2017 and another militant Majid Iqbal .
A police spokesman said on Monday that on a tip off about the presence of militants, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF at Check Sadiq Khan in Shopian late Sunday night.
However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular house in the cordoned off area, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, he said adding security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.
Later, additional security forces were deployed to foil any attempt by militants to escape, he said adding militants were repeatedly asked to surrender after local residents were moved to safe place.
He said both the militants were killed.
One of the slain militant was identified as Ishfaq Dar alias Abu Akram, a top LeT commander who was active since 2017. He was involved in a number of militancy related incidents. Another militant Majid Iqbal was also involved in attack on security forces, police personnel and civilians.
An Army spokesman said the operation has now concluded after eliminating the hiding militants who were repeatedly asked to surrender.
He said two AK rifles and eight magazines were recovered from the slain militants.

With these killings, security forces have neutralized over 80 militants, including top commanders, belonging to different outfits, including LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) this year.
Meanwhile, mobile internet service of all Cellular companies, has been suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of rumours.
Additional security forces have been deployed in the adjoining areas to maintain law and order.