Another Lashkar Commander Killed in Kashmir Gunfight

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Oct 5: Another top commander of Pakistan based militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba was killed in a gunfight with Indian soldiers in South Kashmir today.

A top police officer of South Kashmir, Nitish Kumar told News Blaze police received specific information about the presence of militants in a village at Manzkhah, Chitragam, some 40 kms from the summer capital Srinagar. He said that the information was shared with Indian army and a joint combing operation was launched by the army and police personnel in the village this morning to flush out the militants hiding there.

The police officer said that while the soldiers were conducting combing operations, they came under heavy fire from militants hiding in the besieged area. "The fire was returned by the troops, triggering an encounter. In the ensuing gunfight, which lasted for more than three hours, a top commander of Lashkar-e-Tobia was killed", the police officer said.

He identified the slain militant commander as Abu Furkan of Pakistan. "This was a very successful operation and will dent Lashkar further in South Kashmir", he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that on Thursday two top Lashkar-e-Toiba commanders were killed in a six hour long gunfight with Indian army personnel in North Kashmir.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.