Jammu and Kashmir: Top Lashkar commander Abu Dujana killed in Pulwama encounter; stone pelters target security forces

Srinagar: Top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Abu Dujana, a Pakistani national wanted in connection with many attacks on security forces, was on Tuesday killed in an encounter in Pulwama district of Kashmir.

A local militant identified as Arif Lilhaari was also killed in the gunfight that took place in Hakripora village.

As the security forces were engaged in the counter-militancy operation, more than 100 protestors pelted stones on them, an Army official said.

Acting on specific information about the presence of Dujana and Lilhaari, a joint cordon and search operations (CASO) was launched by 182 Battalion, 183 Battalion, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operations Group (SOG) in Hakripora late last night.

An encounter broke out between the holed up militants and security forces early today.

During the ensuing firefight, both the militants were killed, the official said.

Bodies of the slain militants have been recovered, the official said adding the operation has now been called off.

Two houses in the village were destroyed in the gunfight, but no civilian casualties were reported.

Abu Dujana was wanted in many militancy-related attacks on security forces and political workers in south Kashmir.

He was category 'A' militant and carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, a police official said.

As the counter-militancy operation was on, over 100 protestors pelted stones on them, the official said.

One person was killed and several others injured as security forces opened fire on stone-pelting protesters, police said.

While there was no official word on the identity of the deceased, locals who had brought him to the hospital said his name was Firdous Ahmad, a police official said.

"One person with fire arm injuries was brought dead at Pulwama district hospital," the official said.

At least six other persons were injured in security forces' action against violent protesters near the encounter site.

Internet services have been snapped in south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

The speed of Internet services in other parts of the Valley have been significantly reduced following the killing of the two militants.

Dujana's killing in the encounter is said to be the biggest success for the security forces in their anti-militancy operations.