Lashkar affiliated terrorist killed in Pulwama

Pulwama: A terrorist linked to The Resistance Front (TRF) outfit, an offshoot of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been killed in an encounter with security forces in the Awantipora area of South Kashmir's Pulwama on Monday, according to official reports.

The deceased has been identified as Ahmad Sheikh of Karemabad, Pulwama. Police officials have identified him as part of a series of terror attacks on civilians and security forces, as well as a key figure in providing information, arranging logistics and other support for militants in the area. Incriminating evidence including arms and ammunition were recovered from the scene.

"Based on a specific input, a raid was conducted by a small team of police at Nambal area of Awantipora. During raid, the hiding terrorist started firing indiscriminately upon the police party which was retaliated. In the meantime, reinforcement of 42RR immediately reached at the encounter site. In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was killed," a police spokesperson told Hindustan Times.

Ahmad, who was only 19 years of age, had gone missing since January 17, prompting suspicions that he had joined a militant outfit.

Another suspected terrorist attack was reported in the evening from central Kashmir where a grenade was hurled at a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) letterbox some time in the evening. The grenade exploded on the road, and no injuries were reported. The incident took place in the Chapargung district of Ganderbal.

Last week, security forces shot dead a top Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander along with four other terrorists in two separate encounters in the Pulwama and Budgam districts. The killed terrorists include a top JeM commander, Zahid Wani, and a foreign Pakistani terrorist Kafeel Bhai alias Chotu.