Two suspected LeT ultras among three killed in Kashmir gunfight

Srinagar: Two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and a civilian were killed on Thursday in a gunfight between militants and security forces in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who conducted the operation along with police, said the gunfight started around 4 a.m. in Padgampora village following a tip-off.

Those killed were LeT militants Mohammad Safi Shergujari, 25, and Jahangir Ahmad Ganie, 23, and civilian Aamir Wani, the police said.

However, it was not immediately clear whether the civilian was fatally hit by a stray bullet during the gunfight or was killed during a protest by a group of villagers. 

"Our troopers from 130 Battalion and the SOG (Special Operations Group) of Jammu and Kashmir Police killed the two militants after a tip-off that four-five suspects were holed up in Padgampora," CRPF Deputy Inspector General M. Dinakaran told IANS. 

"A group of people started pelting security forces with stones at the gunfight site. Police dispersed the crowd by bursting teargas shells," the officer said. 

Following the gunfight, the Bannihal-Baramulla train service was disrupted since the tracks are close to Padgampora village.