SRINAGAR: A most-wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant, identified by security officials as Sulaiman Shah alias ‘Musa’, was killed in an encounter with security forces in the higher reaches of Budgam district on Tuesday.
Officials said Musa, who was associated with the Pakistan-based LeT, was killed during a gunfight in the remote forest area of Dudhpathri in central Kashmir.
The Army said its troops, along with other security forces, launched an operation in the Korag area of Yousmarg after suspicious movement was detected. According to the Army, militants opened fire when challenged, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which one militant was killed.
The Chinar Corps did not disclose the identity of the slain militant in its initial communication, while officials subsequently identified him as Musa.
Officials said Musa was wanted in connection with several attacks carried out on both sides of the Pir Panjal range over the past several years. He had also managed to escape an encounter in the Yousmarg hills earlier this month.
His close associate Yasir was killed during that operation on September 5, officials said.
Security officials described Musa’s killing as a major setback to LeT operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Further details about the operation were awaited.
