The gun battle between security forces and terrorists at Kakpora’s Banderpora in Pulwama began in the evening. (Representational photo)
In a major success for the Army in the Valley, the self-styled district commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Ayub Lelhari, was on Wednesday gunned down in an encounter at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. The gun battle between security forces and terrorists at Kakpora’s Banderpora in Pulwama began in the evening. However, within few minutes, the forces were able to gun down Lelhari. The operation began after security forces received information of the presence of militants in the area.
J&K DGP SP Vaid said, “He (Ayub Lelhari) was one of the most wanted terrorists. It’s a great success for the forces.”
“Ayub Lelhari, district commander LeT, was killed in the”Ayub Lelhari, district commander LeT, was killed in theencounter with security forces in Pulwama. Lelhari’s death is yet another success in the fight against militancy,” a police spokesman said.”
The incident took place days after Army killed Hizbul Mujahideen chief Yasin Yatoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi in a gunbattle at Awneera village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. Yatoo’s killing was a big blow to the Hizbul after the death of Burhan Wani last year.
Lelhari’s killing is a big set back for the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Kashmir.
