Srinagar: Lauding the killing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Abu Ismail, the Amarnath Yatra attack mastermind, by the security forces in Nowgam sector, Jammu and Kashmir Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muneer Khan said the elimination of terrorist leadership is the need of the hour.
Addressing a press conference, Khan said, "In a very brief encounter both the terrorists were killed. I take this opportunity to congratulate team. It hardly took half an hour to complete operation. He was one of our prime targets. This operation is a result of people's prayers. The terrorist leadership has to be eliminated because they also misguide our children and lure them into this."
He apprised that two AK 47s were recovered from their possession.
Victor Force, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General BS Raju averred that the operation was important because they are expecting vacuum in the top leadership of LeT.
Echoing similar sentiments, Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid said, "The police was after him since Amarnath attack took place. He was also involved in several other attacks."
Earlier on Thursday, Ismail and another terrorist were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Aarigam, Nowgam in the outskirts of Srinagar.
He was involved in Amarnath attack earlier in 2017.
As many as seven people were killed and fifteen others injured after a group of terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying 17 pilgrims from Baltal to Mir Bazar on July 10.
Meanwhile, the authorities have blocked 4G mobile internet services in the city following the killing of LeT commander.
