In Jammu & Kashmir, the most wanted terrorist commander was killed in an encounter in Dachigam forests in the Srinagar outskirts today.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the killed terrorist has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat, who was “A” category terrorist of Lashkar e Tayiba outfit. The spokesperson added that he was wanted for his involvement in the October 20 attack near a tunnel construction site in Gagangir Sonmarg area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, in which six innocent non-local labourers and local doctors were killed.

Earlier, the security forces had launched a cordon and search operation late last night in the Dachigam forests on the basis of specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area. The contact with the hiding terrorists triggered a gunfight. After resuming the operation, the security forces killed one terrorist during the day.