Srinagar, September 30: A most-wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said on Wednesday.
The slain terrorist was identified by security officials as Sulaiman Shah alias ‘Musa’. The Army’s Chinar Corps, however, did not officially disclose his identity while confirming that one terrorist was killed during the operation.
The operation was launched in the general area of Korag near Yousmarg after security forces received specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists. A joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted the search operation.
According to the Chinar Corps, troops noticed suspicious movement during the operation and challenged the suspected terrorists. The terrorists opened fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire in which one terrorist was neutralised.
Officials said Musa was killed during the gunfight in the remote forest areas of Dudhpathri. The operation continued in the area as security forces carried out searches for other suspected terrorists.
Musa had reportedly been wanted in connection with several attacks on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir and had escaped an encounter in the Yousmarg hills earlier this month. His close associate Yasir was killed during that operation on September 5, officials said.
Further details about the operation, including any recovery of weapons or other material, are awaited.