Security forces shot dead a militant of Pakistani origin during a gunfight in north Kashmir’s Sopore area on Tuesday while an assistant sub-inspector of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was injured in an attack in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Sources said that security forces laid an ambush in Akhoonpora, Haritar village in Tarzoo area of north Kashmir’s Sopore pocket early on Tuesday following information that militants were on the move in the area.
“We had information that the militants were on the move and we laid and ambush,” a police officer said. “They crossed and were challenged by us. This triggered an encounter,” he said.
The exchange of fire led to the killing of one militant while his accomplice managed to escape. The slain militant was identified as Umar Khataab, a Pakistani national. Police said he was district commander of lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) outfit in north Kashmir. He was active in the area for the past four years.
Police said they recovered an AK 47, a grenade and a magazine from the slain militant. Sources said that Khattab’s another associate escaped from the police cordon. Security forces cordoned off the area to track down the escaped cadre.
In another incident, militants shot at and injured a CRPF Assistant Sub Inspector in Murran Chowk of south Kashmir’s Pulwama, official sources said.
Meanwhile, the security forces cordoned off parts of Kota Satri forest Belt in Bandipora district of northern Kashmir after gun shots were heard on Tuesday, reports said.