Lashkar's Kashmir Chief Abu Dujana Killed by Security Forces in Pulwama Encounter

Srinagar: Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Kashmir commander Abu Dujana, one of the most wanted men in India, was killed by security forces during an encounter in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday morning. Dujana's aide Arif was also killed in the operation.

Dujana, a Pakistan national, was the chief of Lashkar's operations in Kashmir. His death is being viewed as the one of the biggest success stories for security forces this year. Dujana had a Rs 15 lakh prize on his head.

Abu Ismail, a LeT commander who planned and executed the recent attack on Amarnath Yatris, is believed to be a close associate of Dujana. Ismail is touted to be the successor of Dujana.

Sources have told CNN-News18 that the operation against the terrorists began after a tip-off. Security forces surrounded the house and began operations around 4:30 am on Tuesday morning.

Dujana was believed to be on the first floor of the house, along with an aide.

After prolonged firing between the two groups, which according to sources lasted till 9:30 am, security forces set fire to the house in order to flush Dujana and his aide, Arif, out. Sources have said the Lashkar commander and his aide were killed after being trapped in the debris.

Bodies of both the terrorists have been recovered and are said to be partially charred.

As soon as news of the operation broke, civilians and stone-pelters gathered in the area. The protestors clashed with security forces, leaving 1 youth dead as forces opened fired.

Sources have told CNN-News18 that Lashkar had downgraded Dujana about 5-6 months ago. Abu Ismail had taken over LeT divisional commander.

Dujana had recently married a girl from Pulwama and was therefore in the area, making him vulnerable. It was his attempt to meet his wife that alerted intelligence agencies about his presence in the area, said sources.

Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan area of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), the terrorist infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir in 2010.

The LeT Commander made his first dramatic appearance at a funeral of a local Lashkar militant in 2014 in Kakpora area of Pulwama. He also attended the funeral of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani in South Kashmir's Tral area last year in July.

Dujana, who was an A++ category terrorist, had a modus operandi wherein he ambushed security convoys on Kashmir’s national highway.

Investigators say he was was involved in the attack at a CRPF party in Pampore in June where eight security personnel were killed.

Dujana is also linked to the killing of two police men in Anantnag in June this year, ambush of a BSF convoy in Udhampur last year and several other acts of terror.