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Longest-surviving LeT commander among two militants killed in J&K’s Pulwama

Aijaz Ahmed Reshi was one of the longest surviving militant commanders of Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit.

SRINAGAR (J&K):

In a gunfight in Samboora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district which raged last evening after government forces cordoned off the area after receiving specific inputs about the presence of militants, two militants were killed and their bodies were recovered.

As per reports, a joint team of local Police, Army’s 50RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area and the search operation turned into a gunfight after an exchange of fire between the government forces and militants took place.

Longest-surviving LeT commander among two militants killed in J&K’s Pulwama
(Photo Credits: Aasif Ganaie/Digpu News Network)

After the encounter ended today, Jammu and Kashmir Police chief, Dilbagh Singh, while addressing a press briefing at District Police Lines (DPL) Awantipora, said it was a successful operation and described it as a “big success”.

In the gun battle, the DGP, while revealing the identification of the slain, said that one of the longest surviving militant commanders of Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit and his close aide were gunned down.

Longest-surviving LeT commander among two militants killed in J&K’s Pulwama
One of the houses, adjacent to the encounter spot, that suffered damage during the gunfight. (Photo Credits: Aasif Ganaie/Digpu News Network)

“The operation at Samboora, Pulwama started yesterday and due to the darkness, search operation couldn’t take place. When the search was started today morning, two militant bodies were recovered. One of the slain militants has been identified as Aijaz Ahmed Reshi, who was the longest surviving militant commanders of Lashkar outfit. He was working as Over Ground Worker (OGW) in 2015 and joined militancy before Burhan Wani,” Director General of Police (DGP) Singh said.

He said Aijaz was a “dangerous militant” who carried out deadly attacks on security forces inflicting heavy casualties. He further said, “He took part in an attack at EDI Pampore in which eight CRPF men were killed. He had transported the Lashkar men to the spot as well. At Kadlabal, Pampore, he had fired at Army party, killing three soldiers. He had taken part in a series of attacks on security forces.”

Longest-surviving LeT commander among two militants killed in J&K’s Pulwama
Government forces had laid a siege around the gunfight site to ensure the trapped militants do not escape from the area. (Photo Credits: Aasif Ganaie/Digpu News Network)

“Aijaz was killed along with other local militant Sajad Ahmed Sofi who was recruited by Aijaz and trained by him only,” the DGP said, adding the killing of Aijaz Reshi will help deter the local militant recruitment in the areas where he was operating.

He said that two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, some rounds, and incriminating material were recovered from the slain militants.

When asked about locals joining militancy in southern Kashmir, the DGP said that the numbers are low when compared to previous years.

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Aasif Ganaie

Aasif is a journalist and a news enthusiast based in Jammu & Kashmir. He voyages to explore and uncover the stories More »

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