Indian troops kill top militant commander, associate in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) — A top militant commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit Abu Ismail and his associate were killed Thursday in a brief gunfight with Indian troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight between militants and a contingent of police and army broke out at village Aarigam-Nowgam in the outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

“LeT chief commander Abu Ismail along with his accomplice were today killed in brief gunfight here,” a police spokesman told Xinhua. “This is a huge achievement for police and troops.”

Ismail according to police was among the most wanted militants active in the restive region. Police sources said he was involved in the recent attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims.

According to police, the government forces had prior information about Ismail’s movement.

Police claimed recovery of two assault rifles from the spot.

Authorities have snapped internet service in Srinagar, fearing it would mobilize people to stage protests.

Last month a top militant commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba Abu Dujana was killed in southern district of Pulwama.

A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi’s rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between militants and Indian troops take place intermittently across the region.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.