Two Terrorists Including LeT Commander Accused Of Killing Police Personnel And Civilians Neutralised In Kulgam

The joint operation of police and security forces killed two terrorists in an encounter in Jammu-Kashmir's Kulgam on Tuesday (7 May) including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Basit Ahmed Dar.

IGP Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that there was intel regarding the movement of terrorists in the area, after which the Indian Army and CRPF cordoned the area.

"Operation started after a fire came out. The operation lasted the whole night and concluded this afternoon. The terrorists were given an opportunity to surrender," Birdi said.

He further informed that of the two terrorists neutralised, one is Basit Dar belonging to the TRF 'A' category. He termed it "significant" as Dar was involved in more than 18 cases of killing of police personnel and civilians.

"He was involved in planning and carrying out attacks on minorities and police forces and civilians," Birdi said that further details will be shared later.

This comes as a massive search operation is undergoing to trace the gunmen involved in the attack on the convoy of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Poonch on 4 May.

Corporal Vikky Pahade of the IAF died in the ambush, and four other personnel were injured. Pahade was a resident of Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara's Nonia Karbal area.

He joined the Indian Air Force in 2011 and is survived by his wife, Rina, and son, Hardik. He had resumed work just 15 days before his death after taking leave for his sister's wedding.

The Indian Air Force paid tribute to Corporal Vikky Pahade, with Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and all IAF personnel honouring his sacrifice in the Poonch Sector.