Top LeT commander among 2 militants killed in Kashmir

Sources said the two militants killed in the encounter were Riyaz Ahmad Dar and Rayees Ahmad.

Dar, who was from Kakapora village, joined the militant ranks eight years ago. He was one of the longest-active militants currently in the region.

Police sources said Dar was listed as a category ‘A’ militant in police records, and that he managed to break through many security cordons in the past. Ahmad was also listed as category ‘A’ militant in police records, sources said.

Monday’s gunfight broke out when the joint team of forces zeroed in on the target house and the hiding militants tried to break the security cordon by opening fire indiscriminately, sources said, adding that the security forces retaliated and foiled the militants’ attempt to escape.

As the joint team of forces used heavy weapons to target the house where militants were suspected to be hiding, it caught fire, which spread to an adjacent house as well. When the debris of the house was cleaned, police recovered the bodies of two militants.