Top Lashkar militant killed in Kashmir's Shopian

A self-styled district commander of the Lashker-e-Tayiba was killed and a civilian wounded in a fierce gun-battle between ultras and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Saturday afternoon.

The gunfight erupted when security forces launched a search operation in Husanpora-Nagabal village at Zainapora, nearly 60 km from Srinagar, Inspector General of Police A G Mir said.

Slain militant Abbass Ahmad Reshi alias Abid Bhai was wanted in a number of militancy-related incidents, including hurling of grenades on army and firing on the Zainapora police station, he said.

Terming his killing as a major success for security forces, the IGP said the militant, a resident of Ali Shahpora village in Shopian, was functioning as a district commander of
the LeT.

"He was also involved in the killing of a former militant Shabir Ahmad Mir in Shopian in September," the IGP said.

Reshi was killed when security forces returned fire after they were attacked by the hiding militants, he said.

A joint party of state police, Central Reserve Police Force and Rashtriya Rifles launched the search operation in the village following information about the presence of some militants there.

The ultras opened fire on the search party and in the ensuing gun-battle, Reshi was killed.

Civilian Ghulam Ahmad was injured in the exchange of fire and was hospitalised.

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