The Army on Friday said that two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants, who had surrendered during an encounter in south Kashmir district of Kulgam earlier this week, had contacted Pakistani-based handler through social media.
An Army official, however, said that no weapon training was organized for the duo, who was assigned to target political leaders. “The Pak-based handler had later introduced the youth to an Anantnag-based recruiter, Khalid, and a militant Mohammad Abbas Sheikh,” he said.
He said the duo met Khalid in Anantnag who provided them weapons. “They spent days hiding in various parts of South Kashmir. They were tasked to kill Political leaders,” he added.
Officials said that following specific information, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint CASO at village Tongdounu in Kulgam in the wee hours on Tuesday.
However, when the security forces launched house-to-house search operation, militants hiding there, opened fire. “The fire was returned ensuing in an encounter, they said.
They said after identifying the holed up militants, there family members were brought at the encounter site who appealed them to surrender. Security forces also assured militants that they will not be harmed if they surrender. Later, both the militants surrendered alongwith incriminating materials, including one AK with 30 rounds, two pistols and as many hand grenades.