Lashkar commander killed in Kulgam

The militant killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district on Tuesday has turned out to be a top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), police said.

The ultra was killed in a gunfight at Kujjan village in Kulgam district, 75 km from Srinagar.

The slain militant was initially identified as Showkat Ahmad Tak, a resident of Panzgam in Tral area of Pulwama district, they said.

When Tak's family members were called to a police station for taking the body, they informed cops that the deceased was not their kin.

During further investigations, it turned out that the slain militant was Shabir Ahmad Mir, a resident of Yaripora in Kulgam district, they said.

Mir was a top Lashkar commander and an 'A' category ultra who was carrying a cash reward on his head.