LeT militant killed in Kashmir's Bandipora district

SRINAGAR: A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir's Bandipora district, police said today.

Omais Ahmad Sheikh alias Hamza, a resident of south Kashmir Pulwama district, was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Sumbal, 30 kms from here, a police official said.

The security forces had launched an anti-militancy operation in the north Kashmir town last evening following information about presence of ultras there, the official said.

He said Sheikh's body was recovered from the encounter site late last night and handed over to his family in Chatapora area of Pulwama district.

Meanwhile, a shutdown was observed in Pulwama town and adjoining areas.

The police official said a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel has been carried out in Pulwama for maintaining law and order.

Minor incidents of stone-pelting by youths on police personnel have been reported from Pulwama chowk and Murran chowk but there were no reports of anyone getting injured in the incidents so far, the official said.