Identifying the slain militant leader as Raheel Kasher alias Shafiq-ur-Rehman of Pakistan, sources said he was political and military commander of the JKLF for Jammu province. An AK-56 rifle along with 150 rounds, two grenades, a radio set and a solar panel battery charger were recovered from him.

Troops also recovered three identity cards and some incriminating documents, including letter-heads of the JKLF. Giving details, sources said alert Army jawans on the LoC at Rani Gap (Balakot) noticed three militants moving towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during the wee hours. On being challenged, the militants opened fire on the jawans to make good their escape.

The latter retaliated and killed the JKLF's political and military commander during the exchange of fire. The remaining two militants managed to escape into the nearbyforests, sources said and added combing operation was going on to flush out militants.

Sources said they had been receiving information about JKLF's attempts to contact surrendered and inactive militants for reviving its activities in the State. Raheel appears to have crossed over to this side with the same purpose, they said and added the blank JKLF identity cards and letter-heads might have been meant for the new recruits.

Earlier, Army troops had killed two top JKLF leaders in the same area in June last. The slain included Nissar Ahmed Mir and Sajjad alias Tariq.

Referring to the attempts aimed at reviving militancy in the State, sources said the troops have foiled a number of infiltration attempts and killed 30 militants on the LOC in Poonch district during the recent past. They had also foiled the militants' attempt to smuggle in a Chinese-made 80 mm mortar in Balakot area in November.