At least five militants of Lashker-e-Taiba, including three of its senior commanders, were killed when a joint party of army and police raided a hideout where militants had gathered for a meeting in remote area of mountainous Kishtwar district, about 270 kilometers from here. The operation was launched by 11 Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police after specific information about presence of a group of militants at Tatapani area of Nowpachi, Marwah late last night.The gun battle started at around wee hours and lasted till this afternoon, official sources said. Deputy Inspector General of Police Udhampur-Doda Range L Mohanty said that five militants have been killed so far, while the operation was still in progress. The slain militants reportedly include three top commanders but their identity could not be ascertained immediately. Sources claimed that a top level meeting of LeT was in progress when security forces raided the hideout.
Details of the encounter revealed that the army intelligence and police had received specific inputs that LeT militantsÂ’ commander from North Kashmir and Marwah area of Kishtwar will gather at Tatapani, Nowapachi for a meeting. Based on the inputs a massive operation was launched and troops were reportedly deputed from two different directions to the area. The well planned operation was carried out under the direct supervision of senior army commanders and Manhor Singh Senior Superintendent of Police Doda, who is considered to be a specialist in anti-insurgency operations.
Huge quantities of arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site of the encounter, sources said adding, troops were clearing the debris of the hideout which was completely damaged in the operation so as to dug out the bodies. The area is completely inaccessible by road and is thus said to be hot bed of hard core militants.
