Jammu, Nov 4 (IVNN): Security forces and police in a joint operation claimed to have gunned down four militants including two top commanders of Lashkar-e-Toiba Militants (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfits in district Doda and Kishtwar this morning.

The slain militants have been identified as Showkat Ali Khan alias Abu Aqib, (self styled district Commander) son of Zarif Khan of Ghoru, Thathri, Abdul Latif alias Abu Zubair son of Ghulam Hussain of Lohar Thawa, both of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Babar, a senior commander of HM and Abdul Qayoom alias Gazali.

SSP Doda Manohar Singh told News Agency of Kashmir those troops of 26 Rashtriya Rifles and Doda police on specific information cordon Sonathawer area in Thathri.
He said soon after the police and troops entered into the village the militants hiding there resorted to heavy firing, which was retaliated by the forces two LeT militants including a district commander of the banned outfit.

He said, “The encounter took place at Sonathawer area in Thathri this morning.”

Defence Spokesman Col S D Goswami told News Agency of Kashmir that based on intelligence inputs, troops of 26 Rashtriya Rifles (KUMAON), 159 Territorial Army and JKP, during an encounter with militants in general area Sonathawer, killed two LeT militants at around 11 am.

He said that the slain militant Shaukat Ali, was active since 2000 and Abdul Latif was active since 2006 in Doda belt. One AK-47 rifle and one SLR were recovered from the site of encounter.

A police spokesman said that security forces and police in a joint operation killed two HM militants in Sigri Bhatta area under the jurisdiction of Chattru Police station in district Kishtwar.

He told News Agency of Kashmir that acting on a specific input, police launched a search operation in Sigri Bhatta area and stumbled upon a natural cave, where both the militants were hiding. The police party asked the militants to surrender but they opened fire which was effectively retaliated.

This led to a fierce encounter and reinforcement was summoned from nearby unit of 11 Rashtriya Rifles (Dogra 9 Sector) as the police party comprised of a small group of crack commandos. The encounter lasted for more than 6 hours and the natural cave was blasted by the security forces, police spokesman told NAK.

During the course of search bodies of two militants namely Babar, a senior commander and Gazali were recovered. Security forces also recovered two AK rifles and large quantities of assorted ammunition. (IVNN)