There was a Rs 10 lakh reward for information leading to Lashkar terrorist Bashir Lashkari's arrest.
Highlights
- Top Lashkar terrorist Bashir Lashkari, his associate killed in encounter
- Two civilians also died while two others were injured in the crossfire
- Security forces estimate south Kashmir has about 90 terrorists active
Top Lashkar terrorist Bashir Lashkari and his associate was killed in a major gun battle with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday, less than a fortnight after the Lashkar-e-Taiba commander led an ambush that killed station house officer of the state police Feroz Dar and five other policemen.
Two civilians also died while two others were injured in the crossfire between security forces and terrorists who were holed up inside a house in the area, confirmed Jammu and Kashmir Inspector General of Police Munir Khan.
"Officers and jawans of Jammu and Kashmir police and security forces have done a commendable job by neutralising these two terrorists particularly Bashir Lashkar who was responsible for killing our six policemen including SHO Achabal," said SP Vaid, state police chief.
SHO Feroz Ahmed Dar and five others were killed by terrorists in Anantnag on June 16.
The security forces had a specific input about the presence of Lashkar terrorists in Dyalgam village. A cordon was laid at the first light. Police said terrorists took inmates as hostages and tried to use them human shields. By afternoon, 17 inmates were evacuated and a final assault launched.
But as the encounter was on, clashes between the security forces and people began in the area. The police said two civilians including a woman were also killed in the cross firing. The dead were identified as Tahira Begum, 44, and 21-year-old Shadab Ahmad Chopan. The police said they were rushed to the district hospital but they could not be saved.
"If you see the social media, there is instigation to youth to reach to the site of encounter to save Bashir Lashkari, these people assemble on the instigation of enemies of peace of this unfortunate valley", Mr Vaid said.
Security forces estimate south Kashmir has about 90 terrorists active in the region.
Sources said the strategy of the security forces has been to target terrorist leaders while maintaining an active presence in areas considered safe havens for the terrorists.
The strategy appears to be paying off. In the last fortnight, eight Lashkar terrorists have been killed. The police counts Bashir Lashkari killing as is a big success, particularly given that their challenge has been to prevent collateral damage in encounters.