Lashkar commander shot dead in Kashmir

PAKISTAN-BORN ABU DUJANA HAD A PRICE OF Rs 15 LAKH ON HIS HEAD, HIS AIDE ALSO GUNNED DOWN

Abu Dujana, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist listed among the most-wanted in Jammu and Kashmir for dozens of attacks, was killed in a joint anti-terror operation in Pulwama Tuesday morning, in a major catch for security forces. A civilian was killed when security forces fired at a mob of protesters who threw stones after the encounter.

Abu Dujana was hiding in a house in Hakripora village with his associate Arif Lilhaari when security forces surrounded the area around 4.30 am. The forces had acted on intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the village and had circled the village late Monday night.

Pakistan-born Dujana, say sources, had gone to meet his wife and had followed a pattern tracked by police during his past visits. After the tip-off, the police positioned watchers around the house and they waited silently for nearly two hours.

When the forces arrived, the terrorists opened fire, prompting retaliatory shots. Sources said the personnel had to blow up the house, “there was no option”.

Dujana was Lashkar’s commander for the Kashmir Valley but a few months ago, he was disarmed by his group after a rift within the ranks of the terror organisation.

Designated a category “A++” terrorist, Dujana was wanted in over three dozen attacks on security forces and civilians and carried a reward of Rs. 15 lakh. His name was on the list of wanted terrorists of the LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen compiled by security forces.

Sources say Dujana had many close calls earlier. He managed to escape in May allegedly because of a mob that threw stones at security forces during an encounter.

Internet services have been snapped in south Kashmir as a precaution after the terrorists’ killing. The speed of Internet services in other parts of the Valley has been significantly reduced.