Top Lashkar commander among two militants killed in J-K

Jammu/Srinagar, Aug 7 (PTI) In yet another blow to
Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a self-styled divisional
commander of the terror outfit was Sunday killed in an
encounter with security forces in Poonch while a second
militant was shot dead in north Kashmir's Handwara district.
Abu Usmaan was killed in exchange of fire during a search
operation by 25 Rastriya Rifles (RR) and police in Mehrota in
Surankote tehsil of the district, Senior Superintendent of
Police (SSP), Poonch, Ashkoor Wani said.
A pistol and ammunition have been found from the
encounter
site, he said.
Another militant was killed during a military operation
launched in Rajwar forests of north Kashmir's Handwara
district following a spurt in infiltration attempts by the
ultras.
"One militant has been killed in Rajwar forest early
today. The operation is still in progress," army spokesman Lt
Col J S Brar said.
He said the identity and the group association of the
militant have not been ascertained yet.
The spokesman said Army launched a major search operation
in the Rajwar forest, over 100 kms from here, five days ago
and has been combing the area for any militant presence.
As many as eight infiltration bid have been foiled
since July 27, army sources said.
Four top-ranking Pakistani militants of Lashkar were
killed in a single operation in Lolab area of Kupwara district
on July 15. Earlier, a militant commander in south Kashmir
Shabir Ahmad was eliminated in a gunbattle by security forces.