A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat, was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Dachigam forest area near Srinagar on Tuesday morning, officials said.
Bhat was reportedly involved in the October 20 attack near a tunnel construction site in Gagangir, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of a local doctor and six non-local labourers, PTI reported.
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Acting on specific intelligence, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the upper reaches of Dachigam late Monday night. The operation escalated into a gunfight after terrorists fired at the search team, prompting retaliation. Bhat, classified as a category “A” terrorist, was neutralised during the exchange of fire.
“OP Dachigam: In the ongoing operation, one terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat (LeT, Category A). The said terrorist was involved in civilian killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal, and several other terror attacks,” the Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X.
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The cordon-and-search operation in Dachigam continues as security forces comb the area for any remaining threats.
Dachigam National Park, located on the outskirts of Srinagar, spans approximately 141 square kilometres and is known for its dense forests and rugged terrain, posing challenges during such operations.