Srinagar: A top commander of militant outfit LeT and his deputy were killed in Srinagar’s Allochi Bagh area Monday afternoon, J&K police said.
“Top commander of proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF Abbas Sheikh & his 2IC Saqib Manzoor killed. A big success,” J&K police tweeted quoting Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar.
Kumar, as per news agency GNS, said that ten policemen in civvies killed the two wanted militants in a gunfight here.
“After information, ten policemen from J&K police in civvies went there and cordoned off the area,” the IGP told reporters in a brief conversation here. “They were given warning. There was firing from them, which was retaliated, leading to the encounter and consequently the duo was killed.”
He said that Abbas was motivating youth to join militant ranks. “Parents and families were worried. I appeal parents not to allow their children join terror ranks and those who have gone should be brought back, we will welcome them,” he said.
Asked if the duo was involved in the all killings in Srinagar, he responded by saying “definitely.” “Saqib Manzoor was carrying killings at the instruction of the Abbas.”
Both Mohammad Abbas Sheikh and Saqib Manzoor were among list of wanted militants shared by the police year this year. A resident of Rampur village Kulgam, sources said that Sheikh was a top militant commander from south Kashmir district.
The 45-year-old was one of the oldest militants and had recycled into militancy two times.
Previously associated with Hizbul Mujahideen, sources said Sheikh was part of Resistance Front (TRF), which police say is a shadow group of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
Sheikh had escaped several times after breaking the cordon in the last six year. Saqib was resident of Srinagar, they added. (GNS inputs)