Top Jaish terrorist, key conspirator in Pulwama attack killed in Kashmir

Srinagar: Security forces on Saturday killed two JeM militants, including a top Pakistani ultra belonging to the family of the group's chief Masood Azhar and involved in the planning of the 2019 Pulwama attack, in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the forest area of Namibian and Marsar and the general area of Dachigam this morning, following inputs about the presence of militants there, a police officer said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire at a search party of the forces, who retaliated.

In the exchange of firing, two militants were killed, the officer said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said, "Topmost Pakistani terrorist affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lamboo, killed in today's encounter."

The IGP said Mohammad Ismal Alvi alias Lamboo alias Adnan was from the family of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

"He was involved in conspiracy and planning of Lethpora Pulwama attack and figured in a charge sheet produced by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)," Kumar said.

Suicide bomber Adil Dar blew an explosive-laden vehicle in a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy on February 14, 2019, on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway at Lethpora in Pulwama district in south Kashmir, killing 40 CRPF personnel and injuring several others.

"Lamboo stayed with Adil Dar till the day of fidayeen attack, the viral video of Adil Dar had Lamboo's voice in it."

"Identification of the second terrorist being ascertained," Kumar said.

The IGP also congratulated the army and police for the success.

Azhar was exchanged along with two other terrorists, Omar Saed Sheikh and Mushtaq Zargar for the safe release of passengers of Indian Airlines Flight 814 which was hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan on December 24, 1999.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)