Terrorist surrenders after forces kill two Lashkar-e-Taiba men

Security forces killed two top Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Sunday, even as a third terrorist, rattled by the encounter, surrendered himself. Tension mounted in the area after a civilian was killed near the scene of gunbattle.

The exchange of fire started after a team of Army, police and CRPF launched a search operation in Chedar Ban area of Qaimoh. "As the joint patrol approached the suspected house, a group of terrorists hiding inside fired indiscriminately. The forces retaliated cautiously leading to an encounter in the area," said a police spokesman.

Two terrorists hiding in the house were neutralised, he said. "On the basis of the materials recovered, it is understood that the killed terrorists are Shakoor Dar, the divisional commander of LeT, and a Pakistani known as Haider." The police said Dar faced several cases for civilian atrocities and attacks on security establishments.

Following the death of the two LeT men, the police said, one local terrorist, whose identity is being protected, turned himself in before the authorities. Sources said he recently took up arms.

"Security forces once again motivated a local youth who had recently joined the terrorist cadre to surrender today in Kulgam during a fierce encounter. It is once again reiterated that all local terrorists will be given an opportunity to surrender during operations", said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar.

A local, identified as Yawar Dar, sustained injuries in cross-firing. He was taken to a hospital, but died of his injuries, they said. Meanwhile, a youth injured at Srigufwara village of Anantnag district few days ago also succumbed to his injuries. The civilian deaths have prompted the Joint Resistance Leadership of separatists to call for a shutdown on Monday.