Two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants including a top commander and policeman were killed and three CRPF personnel were injured this morning in an encounter at Fateh Kadal in Srinagar.
The Lashkar commander was identified as Mehraj Bangroo and his two associates as Faid Waza who had joined militancy a few months back.
Inspector general of CRPF Ravi Deep Sahi said three militants were killed in the operation. “We lost one policeman and three CRPF personnel received splinter injuries,” he said. “The residual search is going on.'”
The third body that was recovered from the spot is believed to be of Raees Ahmed's, the owner of the house, where the militants were hiding.
The slain constable of police's SoG(special operation group) was identified as Kamal of Reasi in Jammu.
The encounter started at 7.30 am after forces laid siege to the area in and around Fateh Kadal in downtown Srinagar.
Heavy firing created panic in the area. The congested Fateh Kadal is the native place of Bangroo, an LeT militant. It seems he had come home with two other militants. However, the police were tipped off about his presence in the area by sources.
The police's SOG was assisted by the CRPF. According to residents, two houses were destroyed in the fire during the encounter. The security forces sealed several areas of downtown to prevent militants from fleeing and protesters from disrupting the operation.
Bangroo was the most senior militant commander from Srinagar and operated mostly away from his home.
His killing is seen as a big setback to Lashkar and the militants.
Due to the situation arising out of the killing of three Lashkar militants, the authorities have snapped internet in Srinagar and ordered the closure of schools as a precautionary measure.
Police sources confirmed the killing of two Lashkar men but said they are ascertaining their identities.
