A self-styled district commander of Lashker-e-Toiba militant outfit was killed and a civilian wounded in a fierce gunbattle between ultras and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district this afternoon.
The gunfight erupted when security forces launched a search operation in Husanpora-Nagabal village at Zainapora, some 60-km from here, IGP (Kashmir) A G Mir said.
Slain militant Abbass Ahmad Reshi alias Abid Bhai was wanted in a number of militancy-related incidents, including hurling of grenades on army and firing on Zainapora Police Station, he said.
Terming his killing as a major success for security forces, the IGP said the militant, a resident of Ali Shahpora village in Shopian, was functioning as a district commander of LeT.
"He was also involved in the killing of a former militant Shabir Ahmad Mir in Shopian last month," the IGP said.
Reshi was killed when security forces returned the fire after they were attacked by the hiding militants, he said.
A joint party of police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles launched the search operation in the village following information about the presence of some militants there.
The ultras opened fire on the search party and in the ensuing gunbattle, Reshi was killed.
Civilian Ghulam Ahmad was injured in the exchange of fire and was hospitalised.
