Three LeT militants killed in Kupwara encounter

Three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed in a gun-battle with security forces at Jugtiyal-Hyhama village of the border district of Kupwara in north Kashmir. A 6-year-old girl was also killed and another was injured when stray bullets hit them near the encounter site.

After the police got a tip-off about the presence of LeT militants in the village on Wednesday morning, a joint team of 41 Rashtriya Rifles, 98th battalion of CRPF and the state police launched a cordon and search operation to flush out the three terrorists. The encounter lasted for more than eight hours.

"During the operation, terrorists in the area started firing at the search party to which our men retaliated. In the ensuing encounter, three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed. The identity of the slain militants is being ascertained", said a police spokesperson.

Police said constable Danish Ahmad was also injured in the encounter. He has been shifted to a Srinagar hospital for treatment.

"A minor girl, Kaneeza, and her minor brother Faisal were injured after they were hit by stray bullets more than 100 metres away from the encounter site. They were shifted to a hospital for treatment where the girl succumbed to her injuries. The boy has been referred to Srinagar. His condition is stable so far," the official added.