Pulwama ‘ mastermind’ killed in J&K encounter
COUNTER TERROR 18 terrorist eliminated in Valley in last 21 days, says Army
SRINAGAR: Jaish-e-mohammed (JEM) militant Mudasir Khan, believed by security officials to be the main conspirator of the February 14 car bomb attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed, was shot dead by security forces in south Kashmir’s Tral area, officials said on Monday.
Khan was among the two militants killed in the encounter in Tral’s Pinglish area in Pulwama district. He is the second Jaish commander, who planned the Pulwama attack, who was killed according to security forces.
The Army’s top commander in Kashmir, Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon said that two main conspirators — Mudasir Ahmad Khan and Kamran — have been killed in operations and said that 18 militants have been killed since Pulwama convoy attack most of them were from Jaish.
“Mudasir Khan alias Mohammad Bhai, the key conspirator in the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama, has been eliminated along with his Pakistani accomplice Khalid,” Lt Gen Dhillon said.
The encounter at Pinglish village ended late Sunday night, however, police identified the militants on Monday morning. One of the militants was Mudasir Ahmad Khan of Midora Tral, police said.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, Swayam Prakash Pani, said the identity of the second militant remained uncertain. “We know that his code was ‘Khalid’. We are trying to find his actual identity,” he said, adding that he is believed to be a Pakistani citizen.
Army said three weapons were recovered from the encounter spot and search operation is underway. The Army, however, said that three militants were killed in the operation.
“We have started aggressive operations to eliminate the JEM leadership in the Kashmir Valley … We have eliminated 18 terror- ists so far. Out of these, 14 are from Jaish, six of them were main commanders. We have eliminated JEM commander Mudasir who was the main conspirator in the CRPF convoy attack. Kamran was eliminated on February 18,” Lt Gen Dhillon said.
“Out of the 18 terrorists killed so far, eight are Pakistanis and 10 are local terrorists including two of LET and Hizbul Mujahiddin each,” he said.
He said that since the convoy attack the main emphasis for local forces was to eliminate the JEM leadership in the Valley. “We have been very successful in doing such in three weeks time. The operations against the foreign terrorists and JEM will continue till we eliminate them,” he said. “We lay focus on Jaish but other militant outfits are also on our radar.”
“Mudasir was active for past one year and was basically trying to recruit youngsters,” IG Kashmir, SP Pani said.
From evidence gathered so far, security officials said 23-year-old