(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Security forces killed a top commander from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, striking a blow against the outlawed militant group, the state's police chief said.
Abdul Rehman, known as Abu Qasim, was killed during a gunfight with security forces overnight outside Kulgam town, 89km south of the main city of Srinagar, Inspector General Javid Gillani said.
"We laid a cordon yesterday and he was shot and killed when he tried to break through," Gillani said.
"This is a major setback for the LeT and its operations," he said.
Originally from the Pakistani city of Bahawalpur, Qasim had been operating in Kashmir against security forces for the last five years, and was responsible for several major attacks, police said.
Qasim was also key co-ordinator between the LeT and other militant groups fighting hundreds of thousands of security forces deployed in the state, police said.
Gillani said police and the army launched an operation on Wednesday after receiving information on Qasim's location, and was killed during the gun battle at about 2am.
"He hurled a few grenades and also opened fire which we retaliated against," Gillani told the NDTV network.
There was no confirmation from the LeT or other militant groups of Qasim's death.
"It is a major success," Gillani said.
He said the killing of Qasim would dent the operational capabilities of LeT and hurt co-ordination between various militant groups.
India has long accused Pakistan of pushing militants into Kashmir to foment revolt in the state. Pakistan denies those accusations.
Escalating tension over Kashmir led to the cancellation of a meeting between the national security advisers of the neighbours in August.
Pakistan last week committed to take "effective action" against LeT accused of carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.
l Over 2,000 residents of border villages in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts returned home yesterday after guns on the international border fell silent.
"Over 2,000 people from different villages in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts returned home today and yesterday after cross-border shelling and firing stopped on the international border in these districts," a senior official said.
Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers field commanders held a meeting at Octroi Post in R S Pura sector of the international border in Jammu district on Monday to defuse tension.
The commanders of both forces agreed to respect the bilateral ceasefire and work together to uphold it.
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