The militants, including the main accused in the killing of Hurriyat leader Shiekh Abdul Aziz, were gunned down in an encounter in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, police said.
Three hardcore Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants, including the main accused in the killing of Hurriyat leader Shiekh Abdul Aziz, were today gunned down in an encounter in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, police said.
The LeT militants - two locals and a Pakistani national - were killed in a 12-hour-long operation at Seer village in Sopore town, 55km from here, inspector general of police, Kashmir, SM Sahai said.
He said the slain militants included Faisul Ghazzali, the main accused in the killing of moderate separatist leader and chairman of People's League Sheikh Abdul Aziz during a rally in August 2008.
"Ghazzali was one of the most wanted local militants in Sopore area as he was involved in numerous civilian killings," Sahai said. The other two deceased have been identified as Abdullah Babur, a Pakistani national, and his another local accomplice Ghulam Nabi Dar - all affiliated with LeT.
Earlier, defence spokesperson Lt Col JS Brar said the encounter broke out last evening when troops of 52 Rashtriya Rifles and police launched a joint operation in the village after getting information about their presence.
The militants were holed up in an under-construction house adjacent to the Law College and were asked to surrender after being encircled, he said, adding they opened fire leading to a gunbattle.
The operation was suspended for the night but the cordon continued to ensure that the militants did not escape.
Security forces launched the final assault soon after day break and the encounter ended at around 0600 hrs, the spokesman said.
Three AK rifles, six magazines and three RPG boosters have been recovered from the scene of the gunbattle, he added.
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