LeT commander among 3 terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR : A high-ranking commander in Pakistan-backed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in Srinagar’s Khanyar locality, while two unidentified terrorists were shot dead in Anantnag’s Halkan Gali area after security forces detected suspicious movements.

A soldier attached to a “road opening party” died Saturday when his rifle discharged accidentally at Rawalpora in Srinagar. “An investigation is underway,” a police officer said.

Kashmir Range IG VK Birdi confirmed the death of LeT commander Usman during a nine-hour operation after security forces raided a house in Srinagar, acting on specific intelligence. They used high explosives that partially damaged the building. The ensuing gunfight wounded two CRPF men and two J&K policemen.

Usman’s body was later found in the building’s debris. Usman was wanted in several cases, including the murders of migrant workers and security officials, Birdi said.

The operation was the first gunfight in Srinagar’s urban area in two years. On September 15, 2022, two terrorists were killed in a similar operation in the city’s Nowgam area.

Referring to the Anantnag operation, a military spokesperson said both slain terrorists appeared to be from Pakistan, though their identities have yet to be verified.

A “seek-and-kill” operation was underway in north Kashmir’s Bandipora after terrorists fired on troops Friday evening. The Army has advised residents near Panar forests to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.

The series of security operations followed a recent spike in violence across Kashmir, resulting in 12 deaths since mid-Oct. On Oct 14, terrorists ambushed a military vehicle near Gulmarg in Baramulla, killing two soldiers and two porters. In Shopian, a migrant worker from Bihar was shot dead on October 18, followed by the murder of seven tunnel-construction workers in Ganderbal on October 20.