Top LeT commander killed in J&K gunfight

Top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Abu Dujana was killed on Tuesday in a gunfight with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said.

A local militant identified as Arif Lalihaari was also killed in the gunfight that took place in Hakripora village.

State police chief S.P.Vaid said he would provide further details on the two militants only after the bodies are recovered from the encounter site.

Acting on specific information about the presence of Dujana and Lalihaari, the forces surrounded the village at about 3 a.m. upon which they were fired at, according to security officials.

"The operation is ongoing," the officials said, adding: "The process of recovering the bodies have started."

Two houses in the village were destroyed in the gunfight, but no civilian casualties were reported.

Dujana was wanted in over three dozen attacks on security forces and civilians and carried a reward of Rs 15 lakh.

He was the most wanted militant commander in the state.

Once Dujana's body is recovered and identified, it would be the biggest success for the security forces in their anti-militancy operations, the officials added.

--IANS

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