Five Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed by Indian security forces after a fierce gun battle in North Kashmir on Wednesday.
On a tip off that militants were holed up in a residential house in Handwara area, Kupwara district, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police condoned off the area in the wee hours.
Three terrorists were killed while trying to escape the house while the other two were killed inside the house due to heavy mortar shelling.
Two of the slain militants were said to be LeT commanders Abu Bakar and Ali Bahi.
"Abu Bakar was a top rank Lashkar commander who was active in North Kashmir from last five years. Today's encounter is a big achievement for us," IBNS quoted Inspector General of Police S M Sahai as saying.
"Security forces had a tough time, as before the commencement of the operation against the militants, all civilians had to be evacuated. No loss of life of any civilian or any soldier has been reported," said Chowdary Mohammad Aslam, Superintendent of Police, Handwara.
(Inputs from IBNS)
