Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Umar Mushtaq Khandey is trapped in an encounter with security forces in the Pampore area of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police official said on Saturday. Khandey is among the top militants whom the security forces are targeting since a hitlist was released by police in August this year. He was allegedly involved in the killing of two policemen at Baghat in Srinagar district earlier this year, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said in a tweet. "LeT commander amongst #top 10 #terrorists namely Umar Mustaq Khandey who was involved in #killing of two police personnel at Baghat #Srinagar & other terror crimes trapped in Pampore #Encounter," he tweeted.
An encounter has started in Kreeri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district hours after the attack on a 'naka' party in the area
Security officials took time to clear the JKEDI building to avoid collateral damage in the three-day gun battle
Entire area has been cordoned off as security forces have launched a search operation and are combing the vicinity