Srinagar, January 16
A militant of the Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit, believed to be behind the Delhi blasts in October last year, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Pattan area of Baramula district in north Kashmir today. Another militant reportedly holed-up in the area is believed to have escaped in an injured condition.

The killed militant has been identified as Abdullah Bhai alias Abu Huzaifa, while his associate, who escaped was identified as Abu Hureira, both of them from PoK. The house of Mohammad Yousuf Palla and cowshed of Mohammad Abdullah Bhat of Khore village near Pattan, 30 km north of here were damaged in the encounter between the militants and security forces.

Acting on an information, a party of the task force of the police and 2 Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off Khore, Pattan in Baramula district this morning to flush out the militants. The hiding militants opened fire on the party and an encounter, followed the police here said. The tip-off was provided by the Delhi Police camping here following the arrest of Tariq Ahmad Dar for his alleged role in the Delhi blasts. At least 55 persons were killed and over 300 others got injured in the explosions that rocked Delhi on October 29 last year.

The Delhi Police investigating the blasts had apprehended Tariq Ahmad Dar near here on November 13. The police here claimed to have got certain vital information from the arrested persons, which had led to the today’s encounter.

Elsewhere, at least three militants were killed and arms and ammunition recovered in different incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.