Jammu and Kashmir: Jaish-e-Mohammed chief’s nephew neutralised

Security forces on Tuesday neutralised two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists including Usman Haider, the nephew of the terror outfit’s chief Maulana Masood Azhar and his close aide, after a fierce encounter that took place in South Kashmir.

After receiving a specific input about the presence of unknown terrorists, the troopers of Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police jointly launched a cordon-and-search operation in Chaanketaar village of Tral in Pulwama district.

The holed-up terrorists were challenged by the troopers after which an encounter started. Two terrorists were eliminated. The body of slain terrorists along with arms and ammunition were recovered. M-4 Carbine rifle was also recovered from the encounter site which was possibly used by the group to carry out sniper attacks on security forces.

The killed terrorists are identified as Showkat Ahmad Khan and Usman Haider. Usman Haider was a top commander of Jaish outfit and nephew of the terror outfit’s chief Maulana Masood Azhar.

The encounter comes three days after a Jammu and Kashmir police sub-inspector identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir was abducted and killed by terrorists in Pulwama district.

In last week, security forces killed two unidentified terrorists in a fierce encounter that took place in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district. An Army jawan was martyred during the gun battle. Previously, security forces gunned down at least two terrorists in Nowgam village located on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir policeman abducted, killed in Pulwama