MASTERMIND OF SUNJUWAN CAMP ATTACK KILLED IN ENCOUNTER

SRINAGAR: Security forces on Monday killed alleged operational commander of Jaish-eMohammed militant outfit, Mufti Waqas, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district in an encounter.

Army officials said Waqas was the mastermind of the militant attack i n Sunjuwan, Jammu that had left six soldiers and a civilian dead in February.

An army spokesman said Waqas was killed in a surgical operation based on specific intelligence of his presence at Hatwar, Awantipora in Pulwama.

He said a joint operation was launched by army, police and CRPF in which Waqas was killed.

Besides the Sunjuwan attack, Waqas was involved in attacks in Lethpora, Pulwama district police lines and BSF camp at Srinagar airport, director general of Police Shesh Paul Vaid said in a tweet.

Waqas was a category A++ militant of foreign origin.

“There have been no civilian casualties or collateral damage. This has resulted in a major dent to the designs of JEM as after elimination of their earlier operational commander Noor Mohd Tantrey in the same area in Dec 17, his successor too has been killed,” the army spokesman said.

On February 10, heavily armed Jaish-e-mohammad (JEM) militants entered the army camp in Jammu after hurling grenades and using automatic gunfire. Three terrorists were killed.

after the elimination of their earlier operational commander Noor Mohd Tantrey in the same area in December 17, his successor too has been killed.