LeT militant involved in Shalimar bus blast eliminated

The Jammu and Kashmir police today eliminated two top Lashker-e-Toiba militants in Shopian after a daylong encounter. One of the slain militant, Ab Hai Rather alias Sad Bhai Khubab, was the district commander of the LeT and was responsible for the July 29 bus blast in Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar.

Srinagar, Aug 21 : The Jammu and Kashmir police today eliminated two top Lashker-e-Toiba militants in Shopian after a daylong encounter. One of the slain militant, Ab Hai Rather alias Sad Bhai Khubab, was the district commander of the LeT and was responsible for the July 29 bus blast in Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar.

The joint-operation of the police, CRPF and the army was launched after they received information that militants were hiding in a house in Ganowpora-Habdipora area.

The 44 Rashtriya Rifles joined in the operation after the encounter started lengthening.

Khubab, who was trained in Pakistan, was responsible for Shalimar Bagh bus blast that killed seven people, including five Gujaratis. He was also involved in attack on MLA Wachi Mohd Khalil Naik in Muradpora Check Cholan and Commanding Officer of 62 Rashtriya Rifles.

Other militant killed in the encounter has been identified as Shiraj Ahmed alias Umair, who was also a LeT operative and was involved in many militant activities.

Meanwhile Handwara Police and the CRPF apprehended an al-Badr operative today in Guloora.

Two hand grenades were recovered from a bag in possession with Mushtaq Ahmad.

ANI