Srinagar, Mar 1: A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was neutralised by the security forces in North Kashmir's Bandipora district in the wee hours of Thursday. The militant, reported to be a Pakistani national, was killed in joint operation carried out by troopers of the 45 Battalion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

According to reports, the security forces were tipped about the militant's presence in Banipora's Hajin village post midnight. The gunfight between the deceased terrorist and the security officials began at around 1:05 am. The encounter lasted till early dawn. Combing operations were underway till the time this report was first published.

Apart from killing the intruding terrorist, the forces also recovered AK 47 rifles, along with other arms and ammunition.

“One terrorist of LET [Lashkar-e-Taiba] apparently FT [foreign terrorist] killed in an encounter in Hajin Bandipora today morning in a joint operation of J&K Police/Army/ CRPF," J&K's Director General of Police SP Vaid tweeted.

The identity of the slain Lashkar terrorist was yet to be confirmed. His neutralisation comes two days after another Pakistani militant was killed by the forces in Hajin on Tuesday.

Following his encounter, however, the locals erupted in protest, refusing to hand over the deceased's body to the forces. The militant was reportedly buried in the local graveyard.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 01, 2018 11:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).