Srinagar: Lashkar-i-Toiba’s top commander Abu Dujana was killed along with his associate in an encounter with government forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
Dujana, who escaped on numerous occasions despite being trapped during nine years of his stay in Kashmir Valley, was finally killed in the encounter with army, SOG and CRPF at Hakdipora area in Newa village of Pulwama district.
The cordon-and-search operation was launched during pre-dawn hours in the area following a specific information about the presence of Dujana and his associates, a police officer told news agency GNS.
As the joint team was zeroing in on the target house, the militants opened fire which was retaliated, triggering off a gunfight, the official said.
The house in which the militants were trapped has been razed to rubble. Besides, Dujana the government forces killed his associate Arif Lilhari, he said, adding that both the bodies have been recovered.
Soon after the news about the encounter spread in the area, the people mostly youth took to streets at multiple places near the encounter site and started pelting stones on forces.
The police and paramilitary CRPF used tear smoke shells and fired some shots to disperse the protesters.
In the incident, a youth namely Jehangir Ahmad of Kakpora received bullet injuries and at least six others sustained pellet wounds. All the injured have been hospitlised.
when reports last came in, the stone pelting clashes amid pro-freedom slogans were going on in parts of the southern district.
Meanwhile, in wake of the gunfight, authorities have blocked internet services including 2G/3G/4G in Pulwama district. (GNS)
