Rafiabad encounter had LeT footprints

Arms and ammunition recovered from the five terrorists who were killed in an encounter in Rafiabad, Baramulla district, on Thursday suggested that the group belonged to the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), said Brig. DR Rai of the Rashtriya Rifles.

Brig. Rai said, "Analysis of recovered items suggest that the group belonged to the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba tanzeem. They had probably infiltrated recently across the Line of Control from Pakistan."

At least four AK-47s, a pistol and other items including ammunition and rations were recovered from them.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Sopore Javed Iqbal had confirmed yesterday gunning down of five terrorists in the encounter which was underway for three-four days. Five terrorists were spotted by security forces and they were engaged in firing with the security forces. All five were killed later, Iqbal said.