Srinagar
Security forces dealt a blow to the Lashkar-e-Toiba when they gunned down its top local commander in south Kashmir’s Pulwama even as

militants killed a policeman in an attack at neighbouring Kulgam district.

Lashkar’s district commander for Shopian Waseem Shah, alias Abu Usma, of Heff, Shopian, who was on the Army’s most wanted list of 12

militants, was killed along with his associate Nissar Mir in an hour-long gunfight in Lassipora Litter.

The incident sparked clashes and protests. A youth, Gulzar Ahmad Mir, was killed and nearly a dozen persons injured during the clashes in

alleged firing by the security force. The police, however, claimed Gulzar was killed in a crossfire.

The gunfight erupted in the wee hours when joint teams of the police, Army and CRPF launched an operation at Litter village, 35 km from here,

after getting a tip-off about the presence of two Lashkar militants in a house. “As a cordon was being laid, some civilians who came out of the

house confirmed militants were inside. The militants were repeatedly asked to surrender but they opened fire. We retaliated and in the hour-

long gunfight, the two were killed,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Muneer Khan said. He said the killing of Waseem was a huge

success for the security forces.

“After joining militancy in 2014, he was involved in many incidents. He was recruiting locals for the Lashkar,” the IGP said.

Waseem was categorised as ‘A++’ militant and carried a reward of Rs 12 lakh. He was also in the group photo of Burhan Wani, in which the

slain commander was seen with 10 local militants wielding automatic rifles. The photo had gone viral on the social media and raised a security

alarm in the Valley. Except one, all militants in that photo have been neutralised.

Police sources said after the killing of Pakistani Lashkar operations’ chief Abu Ismail on Srinagar outskirts last month, Waseem was heading

the group’s operations in south Kashmir districts. According to locals, Waseem’s associate was Nissar Mir, a resident of Pulwama, who was

pursuing MPhil through the distance education mode, before joining the militancy in May this year. The two militants were laid to rest in their

native places.