Top Lashkar Terrorist Among 3 Killed In Encounter In Jammu And Kashmir

Three terrorists, including a top commander of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, were killed in an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore, the police said today.

Mudasir Pandit, who was wanted for several incidents of terrorism was killed along with two other terrorists in an overnight encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district, they said.

Kashmir Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said the encounter took place in Gund Brath area of Sopore in the north Kashmir district. "The killing of LeT commander Mudasir is a big relief for the local population," he said, adding that the terrorist was involved in the death of councillors and civilians.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation late on Sunday night in the area following information about the presence of at least three terrorists, including Pandit, in the area.

"Top LeT #terrorist Mudasir Pandit who was involved in #killing of 03 policemen, 02 councillors & 02 civilians recently and other several #terror crimes got killed in Sopore #encounter," the police chief tweeted.

Pandit was wanted by security forces in many cases, including the killing of two Municipal councillors and a policeman during a meeting in Sopore in March this year.

Last week, two policemen and two civilians were also killed during a terrorist attacke in Sopore. The police say Pandit and his accomplice were involved in the attack.