3 LeT militants killed in Sopore encounter, claims Army

Srinagar: Army on Friday claimed to have killed three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in a nightlong gun-battle in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. ‘On specific information about the presence of militants in Seer Bypass area of Sopore, 52 Rashtriya Rifles and Police launched a joint operation at 6 pm on Thursday.  The militants were asked to surrender.  However, they fired at the joint party and in the ensuing night long gunfight, which ended at 7 am today; all three militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed,” Srinagar based Army spokesman, Lt Col J S Brar in a statement issued.  ‘Three AK rifles and other associated munitions including three rocket boosters were recovered from the slain militants.  Their identity is yet to be confirmed,” Brar added.He said that unconfirmed reports identify the slain militants as Abdullah Babar, a resident of Pakistan, Faisal Gazzali, resident of Batpora, Sopore and Gulam Nabi Dar, resident of Naseembagh, Sopore.  “These reports are yet to be authenticated,” he said.Brar said that despite darkness and the heavily populated area, Army ensured that no collateral damage takes place.