Three unidentified Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed during an anti-militancy operation in north Kashmir’s Kupwara on Thursday, taking the militant toll to 78 this year so far. Meanwhile, one youth, allegedly behind the Sunjwan attack in Jammu ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit in April, has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
“All the three slain militants were affiliated to the LeT. Their identities are being ascertained. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition were recovered from them,” Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said.
The anti-militancy operation was carried out on a specific input developed by the Kupwara police regarding an infiltration attempt of terrorists in Jumagund village near the Line of Control in Kupwara, the police said.
“An ambush was put in place by the police and the Army. As the infiltrating terrorists were intercepted by the joint party of police and Army, they were challenged and fired indiscriminately. resulting in the encounter,” the police said.
The police said three AK rifles, 12 AK magazines, one pistol, two pistol magazines and three mobile phones were recovered from their possession.
A big success, says IG
“The elimination of three Pakistani LeT terrorists is a big success. Successive operations have led to the elimination of six foreign terrorists in the past 24 hours. A total of 26 foreign terrorists, including 14 from Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) and 12 from the LeT, have been killed this year so far,” Mr. Kumar said.
Three JeM militants and a policeman were killed during an encounter in north Kashmir’s Baramulla on Wednesday. A total of 78 militants have been killed in Kashmir in around 50 encounters this year so far.
Pulwama resident held
Meanwhile, the NIA said it arrested a resident of Pulwama for his role in the Sunjwan attack on April 22, which left one assistant sub-inspector of the CISF dead.
The NIA arrested Abid Ahmad Mir, a resident of Putrigam from Pulwama’s Rajpora on May 25. “Investigation has revealed that Mir is an over ground worker of the JeM and was a close associate of arrested accused Bilal Ahmed Wagay. He was also in touch with Pakistan-based handlers of the JeM. He knowingly and voluntarily had extended support to the other co-accused in the commission of the instant crime,” the NIA said.
