Jammu: A sector commander among three Pakistani militants belonging to Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) was gunned down by security forces in a fierce gunbattle in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir early today (May 1, 2004), official sources said.

On a tip-off, troops of 7 Rashtriya Rifles launched a cordon and search operation in Kotli-Kalaban forest belt of Manjakota in Rajouri district around 4.00 hrs (IST), the sources said.

During searches, the gunbattle took place in which the Pakistani militants were killed, they said, adding they were from LeT.

One dead militant has been identified as Abu Sakir, 9 sector commander, LeT, the sources said, adding three AK rifles, seven grenades, 12 magazines, 10 detonators and one radio set were recovered from them.