LeT terrorist killed in encounter in J&K's Shopian

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Baskuchan area of South Kashmir

A local militant affiliated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday.

The slain militant was identified by the police as Naseer Ahmad Bhat, who was involved in several militancy-related incidents and had recently escaped from an encounter site.

“Killed #terrorist identified as Naseer Ahmad Bhat of Nowpora Baskuchan #Shopian, linked with LeT #terror outfit. #Incriminating materials, arms & ammn including AK rifle recovered. He was involved in several #terror crimes and recently escaped from an #encounter (sic),” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

Reports said the gunfight erupted after police and security forces received a specific input about the presence of militants in the area. This was the third encounter in the valley ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Kashmir visit on October 4.

On Friday two militants, whom police said had come to disrupt the ongoing Agniveer army rally in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, were killed in an encounter with the security forces.