LeT operative killed in gun battle in Kishtwar

A Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) operative was killed and three militants managed to escape during a fierce gun battle with security forces in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir early today, police said.

The residents of the area held protest demonstrations, observed a shutdown and raised anti-police slogans claiming that the man killed in the encounter was a "civilian" and demanding action against the security personnel involved.

On specific information about the arrival of three to four militants led by 'district commander' of LeT Salman in village Gujjar Mohalla in Keshwan belt of Kishtwar district, Special Task force (STF) assisted by army launched a cordon operation in the area late last night, Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Haseeb Moghal told PTI.

The group of militants, including Salman, threw grenades and fired on the security personnel when they asked them to surrender at around 0100 hours today, he said.