4 soldiers injured in exchange of fire between the two sides

Top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant commander was killed and four soldiers were wounded on Thursday in a gunfight in north Kashmir.

Muhammad Yousuf Kantroo, who has been active since 22 years, was killed at Malwah area in Tangmarg sub-district of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

“Top LeT (militant) Commander Yousuf Kantroo killed in a Baramulla encounter. He was involved in several killings of civilians and security forces personnel including the recent killing of a cop and his brother, one soldier and one civilian in Budgam district,” IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar tweeted.

“A big success for us,” he said.

Kantroo was associated with militancy since 2000 and had recycled twice for more than two decades, latest in 2017.

Four Army personnel including an officer and a civilian were wounded in the initial exchange of fire.

The injured Army soldiers were identified as Major Subhang Adjt of 62 RR (injury on left side neck), Purn Chand (injury on left leg), Selva Kumar (Minor injury on chest left side and left thigh back side) and Havaldar Mohan.

The encounter had ensued after a joint team of police and army launched a cordon-and-search-operation regarding the presence of the militants.

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 21st April , 2022