Srinagar, June 16: Police Thursday claimed to have killed two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in a 24-hour long gun-battle in north Kashmir’s Rajwar forests in Handwara. Police said following a tip off about the presence of militants in Hamlapati forests of Rajwar, SOG along with 22 RR laid siege of the forest and conducted search operations at around 5:30 pm on Wednesday.
“We had information about the presence of hideout in the area. Accordingly after laying the siege our search party proceeded towards the target,” SP Handwara, Muhammad Aslam told Greater Kashmir. “The militants using sophisticated weapons opened indiscriminate fire on the party. The forces returned the fire, triggering a long driven gun-battle.”
 On Wednesday evening, the SP said, one militant was killed.
 “Another militant was killed Thursday morning,” he said. Police said one militant was identified as Abu Jibran, commander of Lashkar in the area.
 “Jibran was active in Rajwar for past four years after he crossed over from Poonch through Peer Panchal,” Aslam said.
 “The other militant is yet to be identified,” he said.
 Most of the encounters in Handwara are reported from Rajwar area. The police said Rajwar is a vast area covered with thick forest which provides an ideal place for the militants to hide. The area also consists of 32 small villages placed sporadically over and area whose borders meet with the LoC through Tanghdar sector.
 “There are currently three groups of militants active in the area,” Aslam said. “We believe that estimated 15 militants are still active in the large forest patch.”
 He said there has been no surge in militant numbers as no new infiltration was reported in the area.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST