5 LeT militants killed in Valley

Five Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in a joint operation by the Army and police in the militant-hit Rajwar belt of North Kashmirs Kupwara district

Five Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in a joint operation by the Army and police in the militant-hit Rajwar belt of North Kashmirs Kupwara district on Wednesday.

Police are still investigating whether the militants had recently infiltrated into the Valley. Two of the five killed are Abu Baker and Ali Bhai both foreign militants who operated in the area for the past several months as Lashkar commanders,police said.

Army spokesman Lt Col J S Brar said the militants were asked to surrender,but they opened fire.

In the ensuing encounter,five militants were killed, he said,adding that the slain militants were foreigners and belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Officials said they had information that a group of militants was hiding in the dense forests of Laribal and an operation was launched.

On Wednesday morning,officials said,the Army and the police established first contact with the militants. While three where killed in the initial exchange of fire,two militants took shelter in a cowshed at Larigam village but were later gunned down.

A search is on and the Army is trying to find whether more militants are hiding in the area. A police spokesman said five automatic rifles were recovered from the encounter site.