In a fierce encounter in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, security forces have eliminated a top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist. Altaf Lali, a feared LeT operative, was neutralized by troops.
The confrontation in Bandipora has been ongoing since Friday morning. Following intelligence about terrorist activities, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area. The operation turned into an encounter once the terrorists, who were in hiding, began to engage the forces in gunfire.
Earlier reports suggested an injury on the militant side after one terrorist was hit. During the encounter, two security personnel also sustained injuries. This is the fourth such confrontation between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. On Thursday, security forces engaged terrorists in Udhampur's Dudu Basantgarh area, where an army havaldar laid down his life.
Bandipora police recently apprehended four over-ground workers (OGWs) linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Based on intelligence inputs, it was revealed that these OGWs were planning attacks on police and non-local individuals. Using this information, Bandipora police launched a search operation and set up sieges at various locations within the district.
It is stated that following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, a clampdown operation was launched to apprehend terrorists.
