4 cops, LeT commander killed in gunbattle

Four Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF personnel were killed in a fierce gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar on Sunday.

Four Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF personnel were killed in a fierce gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar on Sunday. A Lashkar-e-Toiba divisional commander was also killed in the gunfight. Srinagar SSP Afad-ul-Mujtaba had a narrow escape even as his driver was killed.

This is the first encounter in Srinagar this year. In fact, militants announced their return to Srinagar barely four days ago when they triggered a massive IED close to the Secretariat and J-K High Court, breaking a six month lull.

8220;Three of our men and a CRPF constable were killed in the operation. A top LeT commander, involved in high profile attacks, was also killed,8221; Mujtaba said. The militant has been identified as Abu Faisal. His accomplice, however, managed to escape.

On Sunday morning, police raided the militant hide-out at Telbal, in the suburbs. As the security personnel zeroed in on the target, Faisal and his accomplice hurled a grenade, jumped from the second floor of the house and opened indiscriminate fire. In the initial burst of fire, two policemen, who had cordoned the house, were killed. As the militants saw the vehicle of SSP, they rushed towards it firing indiscriminately. Though the SSP was shielded by his Personal Security Officers, a bullet killed his driver.

The J-K Police suffered heavy casualty as a holed-up woman and child restrained them from retaliating. The police evacuated the civilians from the area before launching an offensive.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More