Pulwama Encounter: LeT Kashmir Commander Abu Dujana Killed
The encounter began early on Tuesday morning, after gunshots were heard by security forces in Hakripora village.
- LeT Kashmir top militant Abu Dujana and his accomplice killed by security forces in Pulwama
- Former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah congratulated the security forces for eliminating Dujana
- 1 civilian killed in clash with security forces following the elimination of the LeT militants
- An AK-47 rifle, and ammunition have been recovered from the site of the encounter
- LeT Kashmir Chief Abu Dujana reportedly had gone to visit his wife in Pulwama, which helped the Army trap him, claimed reports
Abu Dujana's Body to be Sent to Uri
There will not be an locally-arranged funeral for Abu Dujana and his body will be sent for burial at Uri, where foreign terrorists are usually buried, reports said on Tuesday.
Kiren Rijiju Hails Security Forces
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday hailed the security forces after Dujana was killed in an encounter in Kashmir.
Educational Institutes Closed in Kashmir
Authorities suspended class work in all educational institutions across Kashmir in the wake of protests after the killing of Dujana.
All schools, colleges and universities have been closed for the day, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan said.
LeT Kashmir Commander Abu Dujana's Body Recovered
The partially charred bodies of LeT Kashmir chief Abu Dujana and his accomplice Arif Lilhaari have been recovered, as per a report by CNN-News18.
The J&K police confirmed the death of the LeT militants:
Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police SP Vaid said:
Dujana had reportedly married a woman from Pulwama and used to visit her, which led the army to trap him on Tuesday. Moreover, the LeT had demoted Dujana five-six months ago, claimed a report by CNN News-18.
Farooq Abdullah Congratulates Security Forces
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah congratulated the security forces for eliminating Abu Dujana. He was quoted by ANI as saying:
Hansraj Ahir, Minister of State, Home Affairs, said about the encounter in an interview with CNN News-18:
Terrorist Hideout in Pulwama Torched
The terrorist hideout in Pulwama, in which other Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were hiding, was torched by the security forces, according to a CNN-News18 report. Dujana was believed to be hiding in the first floor of the residential complex.
The search operation is said to have started at approximately 4:30 am, according to CNN-News18.
1 Killed in Protests, Internet Services Suspended
Heavy stone pelting is said to have begun around the terrorist hideout, according to a report by ANI.
1 civilian was reportedly killed in a clash with the security forces, according to a report by CNN-News18.
Two people have been injured in the clashes between the civilians and security personnel at the site of the encounter. Jehangir Ahmad Dar was hit by a bullet in the back while Mudasir Ahmad was hit by pellets in the chest, an official said, adding both have been admitted to different hospitals, as per a PTI report.
Internet services have been snapped in south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. The speed of Internet services in other parts of the Valley have been significantly reduced following killing of the two militants.
Official Confirmation of Death of LeT Terrorists
Earlier in the day, J&K DGP Police SP Vaid had said:
“We are yet to recover the dead bodies. Will tell you their identities after that.”
Retired Indian Army officer Major General GD Bakshi, in an interview with CNN-News18 called the encounter a success for the security forces as he noted, it is important to target the leaders of terrorist outfits rather than their “foot soldiers”.
LeT Kashmir commander Abu Dujana had reportedly managed to elude security forces five times before.
LeT Chief Abu Dujana Reportedly Killed in Pulwama Encounter
An encounter between security personnel and terrorists began in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday morning. Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Kashmir chief Abu Dujana was reportedly killed in the encounter, according to CNN News-18.
Also reportedly killed is another LeT terrorist Arif Lilhaari, as per a TOI report. Other militants are still trapped in a residential complex, as per a report by CNN-News18.
In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, security personnel undertook a search operation in Hakripora village in Pulwama, acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants, according to a report by PTI. The area has been cordoned off. Soon after the manhunt began, gunshots were heard by the security forces.
The militants opened fire during the operation, prompting retaliation from the forces, as per a report by PTI.
SP Vaid, DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, said that the encounter is still in progress and said he could only reveal more information after visiting the site of the encounter, as per a CNN News-18 report.
Who is Abu Dujana?
A resident of Gilgit-Baltistan, 27-year-old Abu Dujana was the commander-in-chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Kashmir unit, as per reports by CNN News-18. As of February 2017, he was reportedly carrying a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, and was an A++ category militant. Dujana used to operate out of Pulwama district and joined the militant outfit when he was 17 years old.
Dujana took over the reigns from former Kashmir LeT commander Abu Qasim, after the latter’s death. Moreover, Dujana had reportedly joined hands with Al-Qaeda in Kashmir.
Gun Battle Ensues Between Security Forces and Militants in Pulwama
(More details awaited)
(With inputs from ANI, PTI, CNN-News18.)
(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue? Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)