Srinagar, Feb 26 (UNI) Three militants, including a commander, of Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed and one person was injured in the Kashmir valley today.

Official sources said Jammu and Kashmir police and Rashitriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation at Gujjar Patti,Sogam in the frontier district of Kupwara early this morning following information that some militants were hiding there.

However, when the troops were sealing the area, militants opened fire and also hurled hand grenades. Security forces also retaliated and in the fierce clash the militant was killed.

The slain militant was later identified as Mohammad Iqbal, alias Billa, a resident of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). One AK rifle, three magzines, one wireless set, one mobile phone and Rs ten thousand were recoverd from him. Bila was close associate of top commander of JeM Pasha.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Handwara Dr Haseeb Mughal said that a tip off was received last night that some militants were hiding in the house of one Ghulam Nabi Khan at Khansodan Magam.

He said with the first light, the entire area was cordoned off and after all the residents in the nearby houses were taken to safe place, troops of RR and police moved towards the particular house.

However, militants opened fire which was returned by the security forces. One militant was killed when he tried to escape while another was shot dead in a nearby shed. Two ak rifles, one UBGL with four grenades, six hand grenades, one wireless set and one mobile set were recovered from the slain militants of LeT.

Police spokesman said unidentified gunmen shot at and wounded one Shiraz Rasool at Aloora last night. He was hospitalised.

UNI