Combing operations launched in Rajouri to track down militants

Jammu and Kashmir police have launched combing operations in a forest belt of Rajouri district to track down the militants who escaped during an encounter with police in which top LeT and Hizbul commanders were killed.

"We have launched combing operations in Dharamshal forest belt to find other militants who escaped during the encounter," superintendent of Police Ramesh Kumar said.

Searches are being held in Lallu Khetar, Tringla gali, Dharamshal forests for tracking down the militants, he said, adding that police has achieved a major success on Tuesday, by eliminating two top terrorists.

On Tuesday, police had gunned down Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) divisional commander Abu Tallah and Hizbul Mujahideen district commander Ashfaq in Kalakote belt during the encounter.

"There were four to five LeT/Hizb militants hiding in the area when police launched strike on them," the police officer said.

"Their death is a setback to LeT and Hizb in Jammu region", he said.

Tallah was involved in coordinating different militant outfits in the Jammu region and also headed United Jehad Council (UJC) for the region, the SP said.

Besides attacking security forces, manufacturing IEDs, and recruiting youths, Tallah also used to handle finances and weapons and supply ammunition to LeT militants, he added.