Killing of top commander major setback for LeT: J&K Police

Srinagar: The killing of top LeT commander Abu Ismail and his Pakistani associate on Thursday is a major setback for the terror outfit, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said.

Director General of Police S.P. Vaid said: "Police was after him for quite some time and finally we have been able to gun him down."

Addressing the media separately, Inspector General of Police Munir Ahmad Khan said the elimination of Abu Ismail and his Pakistani associate was a major setback for the Pakistan-backed LeT.

The officer said people across the board had wished that those responsible for the dastardly attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in July that killed eight people should get deserving punishment.

Khan said following intelligence inputs about the presence of Abu Ismail in Aarigam (Nowgam) area on the outskirts of Srinagar, an operation was immediately launched.

"We could establish contact with the hiding militants around 4.15 p.m and after a brief encounter both terrorists were killed," he said.

The officer said other details of the operation cannot be shared now.

Abu Ismail planned and carried out the attack on a bus of Amarnath Yatris in Anantnag district on July 10 this year, police said. Eight pilgrims were killed and 13 others injured in the attack.