Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir): In a major success for the security forces in the ongoing encounter in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir where four Army soldiers were killed on Wednesday, security forces have killed one militant affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit, sources said on Thursday. An Army spokesman said that the LeT militant identified as Quari, a top LeT militant trained on the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has been killed by the security forces in the encounter.
“He is a highly ranked terrorist leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba. He has been active in Rajouri-Poonch alongwith his group from past one year. He is also believed to be mastermind of Dangri and Kandi attacks,” a Defence spokesperson said. He said that slain Quari was sent to revive terrorism in the Pir Panjal region.
Quari, as per the Army spokesperson was an expert in IEDs, operating and hiding from caves and a trained sniper. Besides slain Quari, one more militant is believed to be hiding at the encounter site in Bajimaal area of Dharmsal in the Rajouri district where four soldiers including two Army officers were killed by the militants on Wednesday.
Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: Four Army personnel, including two Captains, killed in Rajouri encounter
Three of the slain soldiers have been identified as Capt MV Pranjal - (63 RR/ Signals), Capt Shubham (9 PARA (SF) and Havaldar Majid, 9 PARA (SF). Army has also released a video showing the two militants talking to a group of women in the area. The two suspected militants are seen clad in a camouflage blankets.
The suspected militant sporting a beard is believed to be slain Quari while the identity of the one with a moustache is not identified. Army said that the encounter broke out on Wednesday after security forces launched a cordon and search operation following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
The operation was carried out by the joint team of security forces including Special Forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police. "Contact was established on November 22 and an intense firefight ensued. The terrorists have been injured and surrounded and operations are in progress, amidst acts of valour and sacrifice by our own bravehearts in trying to prevent collateral damage to women and children in the highest traditions of the Indian Army," the Indian Army's White Knight Corps said in a statement.
