LeT militant killed in Budgam encounter

Srinagar: A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant was today killed in an encounter with security forces in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation during the night in Khan Mohalla of Arizal in Beerwah area of the district after receiving specific input about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said as the forces were conducting the searches, a militant tried to flee by coming out of a house and firing indiscriminately on the forces. The security forces retaliated and the militant was killed, the official said.

He said the slain militant has been identified as Shafat Hussain Wani, a resident of Wagoora area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Wani was affiliated with LeT since April 2017, the official said.

He said incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, mobile phones and cash worth Rs 30000 have been recovered from the encounter site.

The official said a lady received an injury in her thigh when the hiding militant was trying to escape by firing indiscriminately.

She was evacuated to a hospital by the police and her condition is stable, he said. Legal proceedings have been initiated by police and investigation taken up, the official said.