J&K: 2 LeT militants killed, one captured in Poonch encounter amid DDC polls

The encounter took place on Mughal road in Surankote area of Poonch district (File)

Two militants were killed and one captured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch on Sunday, during the sixth phase of polling for DDC elections.

According to sources in the security forces, all the three militants had reportedly crossed over to Jammu and Kashmir from over the Line of Control recently. They were engaged by police and security forces in a joint operation in Duran Poshana area along the Mughal Road, which connects Jammu’s border Poonch district with Shopian in Kashmir.

Official sources said a group of militants had entered Poonch from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir three days ago and was on way to Shopian. Security forces had been on their trail since Friday.

“Following inputs, police and security forces reached the spot where the militants were on Friday, but could not launch an operation due to snowfall,” an officer said.

“On Sunday afternoon, another move was made, which resulted in the contact,” he continued, adding that an offer of surrender was given to the militants, which include one local and two Pakistanis, but they opened fire on the cordon team, which led to the encounter.

Inspector General of Police for Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh, said that both the slain militants were from Pakistan and have been identified as Sajid and Bilal. Two AK 47 rifles, one UBGL and one Thuraya Satphone were recovered from their possession. They were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba, he added.

Meanwhile, phase six of the DDC polls saw an overall polling percentage 51.51 per cent, where Kashmir registered a voter turnout of 31.55 per cent and Jammu 68.56 per cent, according to the Cheif Election Officer of the Union Territory. Turnout in Pulwama remained low at 8.16 per cent, while in Shopian, it dropped to 4.60 per cent. Ganderbal saw the highest polling percentage in the valley at 58.45 per cent, while Poonch recorded another high at 76.78 per cent.

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