Top Lashkar terrorist, aide killed in Pulwama encounter | India News – Times of India

SRINAGAR: Two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, including the outfit’s top commander Riyaz Ahmad Dar, were shot dead by security forces following an overnight gun battle in Nihama area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.
One of the longest-surviving terrorists of the outfit, Riyaz, a resident of Sethar Gund in Pulwama’s Kakapora, had been active in Kashmir Valley during the past eight years and was wanted in numerous terror-related cases, said IGP (Kashmir Range) V Birdi, calling the anti-terror operation a major breakthrough for security forces.
The other slain terrorist was identified as Rayees Ahmad, a resident of Lerve in Kakapora.
Based on intelligence inputs about the presence of the terrorists in Nihama, a joint team of the Army, J&K Police, and paramilitary personnel launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area late Sunday, IGP Birdi said.
As the security forces neared the suspected hideout, holed-up terrorists opened fire at the search party, triggering an encounter. After several rounds of fire exchange, the operation was paused due to darkness. The firefight resumed early Monday and the terrorists were gunned down, said the IGP.
The house where the terrorists had sought refuge caught fire during the gunfight, police said. Security forces later launched a search at the spot to retrieve arms and ammunition, IGP Virdi added.