J&K: Top LeT commander Bashir Lashkari, his aide killed in Anantnag encounter

Top Lashkar-e-Taiba​ (LeT) commander Bashir Lashkari and his aide were killed in encounter with security forces in a village in Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday.

Lashkari and his aide Azad Malik were killed in the encounter after they were 'trapped' inside a house in Dialgam area's Brenti- Batpora.

The militants were involved in the killing of six policemen last month.

​Two civilians were also killed during an encounter between security forces and militants.

While Tahira, 44, died in the crossfire, Shadab Ahmad Chopan, 21, was allegedly killed in security forces' action against protesters near the encounter site.

Four other persons have been admitted to hospitals with firearm injuries sustained near the site.

"Bashir Lakshari and three terrorists are trapped in security forces' cordon in village Brenti in Anantnag. The trapped ultras were involved in the killing of an SHO and five other policemen in Achabal area of south Kashmir on June 16," a police spokesperson told PTI.

Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation early today after they received information about the presence of the militants.

The militants used civilians as human shields and security forces managed to rescue 17 of them. He did not elaborate if there were any more hostages.

(With agency inputs)