Most-wanted LeT terrorist Sulaiman Shah killed in Kashmir encounter

A most-wanted terrorist affiliated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in an encounter with the Rashtriya Rifles in the higher reaches of central Kashmir's Budgam district on Tuesday, security officials said.

The Kashmir-based Chinar Corps did not disclose the identity of the slain terrorist. However, officials identified him as Sulaiman Shah, also known as ‘Musa’.

The Army said security forces launched an operation in the Korag area of Yousmarg in central Kashmir after receiving information about suspicious activity.

“Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity, and upon being challenged, the terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralised,” the Army said in a post on X.

Officials said the operation was continuing when Musa was killed during the exchange of fire in the remote forest area of Dudhpathri.

Musa had been wanted for his alleged involvement in several attacks on both sides of the Pir Panjal range over the past several years, officials said. He had also escaped an encounter in the Yousmarg hills earlier this month.

His close associate Yasir was killed during that operation on September 5, they added.

Officials described Musa's killing as a major setback to the Lashkar-e-Taiba's operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Further details about the encounter are awaited.  (with inputs from PTI)