The Hindu : New Delhi News : Two Lashkar militants killed in encounter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Two Lashkar militants killed in encounter

Sandeep Joshi

A militant module comprising a `fidayeen' busted, claim Delhi police

Policemen with an AK 56 which was recovered from the two LeT militant who were killed in an encounter near Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Monday night. — Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

NEW DELHI: Two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were gunned down in an encounter with the Special Cell of the Delhi police near Pragati Maidan in New Delhi late on Monday night. The police have recovered 2 kg of RDX, an AK 56 assault rifle, .30 mm pistol, two magazines, four detonators, a satellite phone and two timers from them.

The police claimed to have busted a militant module, consisting of a "fidayeen'' probably with roots in Pakistan, with their killing. Investigations are on to find out if there are any more members of the module still hiding in Delhi.

According to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), Karnal Singh, they had intelligence inputs in the first week of April that a LeT group was trying to set up base in the Capital. The Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), Rajbir Singh, and his team, was asked to investigate the matter.

"After going through intelligence and technical inputs, it was found that the group, comprising a "fidayeen" from Pakistan, had set up a module in the Capital. We also got information that this group was to receive a consignment of weapons and explosives from Kashmir. Subsequently, the team stepped up surveillance," he said.

On Monday morning, the team received information about some "movement'' of the module and later through "technical observation'' and intelligence information it was found that the delivery was going to be made opposite Pragati Maidan on Bhairon Road around 9 p.m.

In the evening, the ACP and his team positioned themselves near Pragati Maidan and around 9-15 p.m. the police team spotted the white Maruti car (DL3CK 3792) which stopped near the gate of the National Science Centre close to Gate No.2 of Pragati Maidan.

They then saw a man cross the road and get inside the waiting car.

When they spotted the police team, the militants tried to flee by taking a U-turn. But on being intercepted, they opened fire. The police returned the fire and the two militants were seriously injured. Both were rushed to All-India Institute of Medical Sciences where they were declared "brought dead".

Citing intelligence inputs, the Joint Commissioner said their names were Osama and Sabir, both belonging to Sialkot in Pakistan.

But the two election identity cards recovered from them gave their names as Manzoor Ahmad Wani and Mohammed Amin Butt, both residents of Kistwar in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Osama could be the `fidayeen', but we are trying to confirm that. His e-mail address has also been found and efforts are on to crack it ," he added.

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