New Delhi: Top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Commander Yousuf Kantroo was among two terrorists killed in an encounter that broke out in the Malwa area of Baramulla in north Kashmir on Thursday.


Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that he was involved in several killings of civilians and security personnel.


"He was involved in several killings of civilians and Security Forces personnel including recent killing of an SPO and his brother, one soldier and a civilian in Budgam district," the officer said, as quoted by news agency ANI.


The IGP stated that Kantroo had also killed BDC Chairman Sardar Bhupinder Singh in September 2020 in the Khag area of Budgam district.


"Two LeT terrorists have been neutralised in the ongoing Baramulla encounter. Four army personnel and one police jawan were injured during the operation. As per our info, three more terrorists could be present," the officer informed.


Kashmir Zone Police informed that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site.






Earlier, three soldiers and one civilian were revealed to have received minor injuries in the initial exchange of fire.


"Exact location of the encounter is Malwa. In the initial exchange of fire, three soldiers and a civilian received minor injuries," Kashmir IGP said.


The encounter between security forces and terrorists had broken out in the early hours of Thursday. Budgam Police and Army are involved in the operation, ANI reported citing the police.


As per news agency PTI, an official stated that security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Malwa area of Baramulla based on specific inputs about the presence of terrorists.


The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired upon the forces, who retaliated.


(With Agency Inputs)


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