2 Lashkar Commanders Killed in Kashmir Gunbattle

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Sept 23: Two top commanders of the Pakistan based militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed in a gunfight with Indian security personnel in restive Kashmir.

A police officer told NewsBlaze that on specific information, Indian army, para-military and police personnel laid an ambush around the old bridge Sumbal in North Kashmir. "The troopers challenged two militants, who fired from automatic weapons towards them. The fire was returned and in the ensuing gunfight two Lashkar militants identified as Tahir Pathan alias Abu Tahir and Abdullah alias Abu Maaz," he said, adding, "Both were Pakistani nationals".

He said that Tahir alias Abu Tahir was functioning as Lashkar's Divisional Commander while Abdullah alias Abu Maaz was acting as District Commander. "Tahir was involved in various militancy activities in the Valley including the killing of senior army officer in North Kashmir in 2006. He had managed to escape from the spot. It is also believed that he was also involved in the Narbal IED blast in which 10 army personnel were killed on July 19, 2008," he further claimed.

However, residents of the area alleged that the encounter was a "fake encounter".

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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