LeT commander Abu Hamza killed in Sopore encounter

“An operation was launched on Tuesday afternoon after a tip off about the presence of top LeT militant in Amargarh,” SP,Sopore Bhim Sen Tuti told The Indian Express. “As the search operation was launched the holed up militant opened fire on the security men and the fire was retaliated triggering a fierce encounter. In the 16 hour long encounter Abu Hamza was killed.”

SP Bhim Sen said that in the encounter one Army man of 52 RR was also killed. “Three security men also received injuries in the encounter,” SP said.

Police has recovered an AK 47 rifle and four AK magazines from the encounter site.

Police sources said that Abu Hamza was Lashkar’s divisional commander for north Kashmir and was also taking care of Al-bader militant outfit in north Kashmir from past one month. Police said that Hamza was one among the wanted militants in J-K and he is believed to have masterminded many attacks in the valley. “Hamza was active in north Kashmir from past four years and has also masterminded many attacks,” a police officer said.

Meanwhile,two more encounters are going on in north Kashmir. Police said a gunbattle is on in Handwara where two suspected militants are believed to be holed up.

Another encounter is going on in Bandipore district. A police spokesman said that a joint operation was launched by Bandipora Police along with 57 RR and 196 Battalion CRPF after a tip off about the militant presence in village Ayatmullah,Bandipora. The spokesman said that militants present in the house of Abdul Aziz Lone of Lone Mohallah opened heavy firing on the search party,triggering an encounter,which was going on till reports last came in.