Top Lashkar commander killed in Anantnag encounter
Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 1
Two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including a top commander, were killed in gunfight in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday. Two civilians were also killed in the clashes near the encounter site.
Bashir Lashkari, police said, was wanted in the killing of six policemen, including an SHO, last month.
“Lashkari’s killing is a huge success,” J&K Police chief SP Vaid said.
A joint operation was launched by forces at Birnhi Batpora Dailgam, 55 km from here, after getting information regarding the presence of militants.
“While the cordon was being laid some militants outside a house fired upon the securitymen, which was retaliated. In the cross-firing a woman suffered injuries and later succumbed to them. At least 17 people were rescued before the final assault was launched,” a police officer said.
“In the gunfight that followed two militants, including Lashkari, were killed.”
Intense clashes had erupted in the area where protesters tried to march to the gunfight site. Police and CRPF maintained a tight cordon and did not allow militants to escape. In the clashes, another protester was killed and nearly a dozen others were injured.
