2 LeT ultras killed in Bandipora

This put an end to a 24-hour seige by security forces to a mosque where one of the deceased had taken refuge.

Two Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) ultras including a top commander were killed in Bandipora district of Kashmir,ending a 24-hour seige by security forces to a mosque where one of the deceased had taken refuge,official sources said on Tuesday.

Self-styled district commander of LeT Abu Qitaal and his close accomplice Abu Dawood,both suspected to be Pakistani nationals,were killed in the operation at Barzulla village of the north Kashmir district,50 kms from here,they said.

While one militant was killed in the initial firefight with security forces on Monday,the top commander got injured but managed to take refuge inside the local mosque where he succumbed to injuries this morning,ending the 24-hour stand off,they said.

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Army had sent local elders and the Imam of the mosque to persuade the militant to leave the religious place and surrender before the security forces.

However,he refused the offer and hurled grenades and opened fire at the security forces intermittently,they said.

Defence sources said army exercised utmost restraint keeping in mind the sanctity of the mosque and to avoid any damage to it.

“Clear orders have been issued to the army troops not to fire towards the mosque. They have also been instructed not to enter the mosque in order to maintain its sanctity,” a defence spokesman said on Monday.

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Two AK assault rifles,four magazines,100 rounds,two Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) shells and a wireless set were recovered from the slain militants,they added.

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