Srinagar: A gunfight is underway between security forces and militants in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Dujana is among the three-four militants holed up in a house in Arwani village.
Acting on a tip-off, troops of counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles (RR), special operations group of Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF had surrounded the village late on Wednesday.
Gunshots were heard when the forces tried to tighten the cordon but guns fell silent in the night. With the first ray of light on Thursday, the militants started firing at the security forces.
However, officials have refused to confirm the presence of Dujana. Quoting an official, IANS said, “We can confirm nothing until the encounter was over.”
A report in Daily Excelsior confirmed the presence of Dujana, adding that he was accompanied by Abdul Majeed Gania, a LeT operative.
The newspaper adds that residents of the area pelted stones at the security forces during the cordon.
If the forces manage to neutralise Dujana, it will be the second big victory against militancy this year after the killing of Burhan Wani. He had also reportedly inspired Wani and is close to Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed.
Dujana is involved in several attacks in South Kashmir and has a bounty of Rs 8 lakhs on his head.
He had reportedly made an appearance in the funeral of Burhan Wani in south Kashmir.
