Government forces in Indian-administered Kashmir said they had killed a top commander from a Pakistan-based militant group after a fierce gunfight in the disputed region Saturday that sparked violent protests. The gunfight is the latest in a string of deadly shoot-outs between Indian forces and suspected insurgents during an upsurge in violence in restive Kashmir, where local groups have for years demanded that the region be given independence or merged with Pakistan. The suspected rebel commander, named as Waseem Shah of the pro-Pakistan militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was killed after soldiers and special police forces acting on a tip off surrounded the southern village of Litter. “In the ensuing gun battle, the LeT commander and his bodyguard were killed,” an Indian police officer told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. Rebels groups including LeT have been fighting for decades against Indian soldiers deployed in the territory.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 14, 2017 09:00 UTC