Top LeT commander killed in encounter

The militant was killed when the army’s 21 Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the police launched an operation in three villages — Dudipora,Check and Bakihakar of Handwara on Thursday.

The 7 Sector Rashtriya Rifles Commander Brig Arun said the army and the police had specific inputs about Hanzullah’s presence in the area. “When the army cordoned off the villages,people had already left for safer places; when our troops approached near the hideout,the militant commander opened fire that resulted in an encounter.’’,he said.

Arun said that the operation was stalled on Thursday night. “When the operation was resumed today (Friday) morning,the troops recovered the body of the militant along with weapons.’’ He said the slain militant was one of the topmost commanders of LeT in North Kashmir. “His killing is a big success to the security forces and a setback to the Lashkar,’’ he added.

Sources said the police had provided the army specific inputs about Hanzullah who was hiding in a house in Dudipora village. According to police sources,Hanzullah was injured last month when the army killed five militants in the same area and since then he was hiding in Rajwar.

Police spokesman said that Hanzullah was one of the most wanted militants and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert. “He was also involved in facilitating the infiltration of militants and their distribution in areas. He was responsible for targeting and killing civilians and security force personnel,” he said,adding that Hanzullah’s death is a severe jolt to the militant outfit’s activities,particularly in north Kashmir. He was an ‘A plus’ category militant.