Azhar Qadri

A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander and key suspect in journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s killing, Naveed Jatt, was killed in a gunfight with security forces in central Kashmir’s Budgam district today. Bukhari killing suspect fled from custody in February

State police chief Dilbag Singh said the Pakistan-born LeT “chief commander” was killed in a gunfight that broke out in the early hours at Budgam’s Kuthpora village. Another militant, whose identity was not confirmed by the police, was also killed in the gunfight that lasted several hours.

Jatt’s killing is being seen as a significant blow to the militant outfit, which has seen its top commanders in south Kashmir — all of them locals — being killed in counter-insurgency operations in recent weeks. Jatt had infiltrated into Kashmir in 2012.

The gunfight erupted when security forces cordoned off the village after specific inputs about the presence of militants. In the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed, while a third managed to escape with the help of locals. A video later went viral showing the third militant being whisked away by a crowd of locals.

DGP Dilbag Singh termed Jatt’s killing “a big success” as he was the “prime suspect” in Bukhari’s killing outside his office here earlier this year.

Singh said Jatt was involved in “atrocities against public”. “In south Kashmir, innocent boys were abducted, shot, slaughtered; banks robbed; policemen attacked and killed. Naveed Jatt and LeT militants were involved.”

Jatt, who was caught in 2014, had escaped on February 6 after two militants attacked a police team at SMHS hospital, where he was brought in for treatment. Two policemen were killed.

Courtesy: Tribune: 29th Nov, 2018