3 terrorists, including commander of Lashkar-linked outfit, killed in Kulgam

Top commander Basit Dar, affiliated with the Resistance Front, a terrorist organization backed by Lashkar-e-Taiba, met his end in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Alongside Dar, two other militants lost their lives during the operation conducted on Tuesday.

Basit Dar, a significant figure in the terrorist hierarchy, had been a prime target for security agencies and was listed among the ‘most wanted’.

His demise marks a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to curb terrorism in the region. Dar carried a substantial bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was implicated in more than 18 cases involving the killing of both police personnel and civilians, as confirmed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir.

The encounter unfolded following a cordon and search operation initiated by security forces in Kulgam’s Redwani area late Monday, prompted by intelligence indicating the presence of militants in the vicinity.

The operation swiftly escalated into a fierce encounter, extending into Tuesday before the militants were neutralized.

Dar, classified as an ‘A’ category terrorist, belonged to a classification system devised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, taking into account various factors such as nationality, training, involvement in terror activities, weaponry possession, and notoriety.

In the aftermath of the successful operation in Kulgam, security forces have heightened their vigilance and intensified search operations in the Poonch and Rajouri districts.

This proactive measure aims to apprehend the perpetrators behind the recent attack on an Indian Air Force convoy, which resulted in the tragic loss of a corporal rank personnel.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by terrorism in the region and the steadfast commitment of security forces to combatting it.