Active since 2018, top Lashkar commander killed in Baramulla gunfight: IGP Kashmir

A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander was killed in a gunfight that broke out between militants and the government forces in Check-e-Saloosa village of Kreeri area of Baramulla district of north Kashmir, reported a local news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Unnamed officials told that acting on a specific input, joint teams of the army, the police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon in Check-e-Saloosa area of Kreeri in Baramulla at 11 am. “When joint teams zeroed in on a suspected spot where militants were hiding, they came under heavy volume of fire leading to a gunbattle,” the official said. “One unidentified militant was killed in the initial exchange of fire.”

Kashmir zone police had tweeted: “Encounter has started at #Check-i-Saloosa area of #Kreeri #Baramulla. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) north Kashmir range, Suleman Choudhary said: “When searches were intensified, the forces came under fire that was retaliated triggering an encounter. After exchange of fire, one unidentified militant was killed. It was a five hour long operation after which extensive search was conducted and there was no other militant found. He added that one AK-47 rifle and five magazines were recovered from the killed militant.

The DIG while replying to a query that whether today’s gunfight was linked to the recent gunfight at Kreeri, Baramulla, said: “It’s subject to investigation and nothing can be said at this point of time.”

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that the slain militant was active since 2018 and was a resident of Pakistan. “He has been identified as Anees alias Chota Sultan,” he said, adding that the slain was top commanders of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit.

Pertinently, today’s encounter comes three days after a deadly encounter at Kreeri area of Baramulla where two top Lashkar-e-Toiba commanders among three militants and six government forces’ personnel including three army troopers were killed.  (KNO)