Two lashkar-e-Tayyeba terrorists, including leT district commander Wasim Shah, a close associate of late Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, who used to recruit local youth for the terror outfit, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu & Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday, triggering protests by residents in which one civilian was killed.
In a separate incident, terrorists attacked a police vehicle in Damhal Hanjipora area killing a Constable.
Earlier, Wasim Shah alias Usman, hailing from Shopian, was killed along with Naseer Mir in litter Village, where the gunfight with the security forces took place.
As news of the killings spread in the area, announcements were made through mosque public address systems asking people to come out and stage protests.
Protesters from the village and adjacent areas gathered in large numbers, pelting stones at security forces and shouting slogans. Several protesters were hurt, while one civilian protester died of bullet injury.
The protester, identified as Gulzar Ahmad Mir, sustained a gunshot injury. “He was rushed to SMHS hospital in Srinagar, where he succumbed to critical injuries," police said.
Over a dozen other protesters were injured in the clashes. One more person with a bullet injury was referred to Srinagar while reports from the area said at least three have sustained pellet wounds.
Earlier, a gunfight between the terrorists and the security forces broke out after the latter received specific Intelligence inputs on the leT terrorists' presence in litter Village.
As the security personnel closed in on their hideout, the terrorists opened fire triggering the gunfight.
An AK-47 and an AK-56 rifle and six magazines were recovered from the site.
Inspector General of Police Muneer Khan, addressing a Press conference, said Wasim Shah was "very notorious and his elimination was a big success as he used to recruit cadre for the leT".
Khan said the operation was launched by the State police, Army and CRPF following specific information received about the presence of the two leT terrorists.
The two were first asked to surrender but when they started firing, the troops retaliated and gunned them down, he said.
The killing of Wasim Shah follows a string of such operations by security forces in which they have killed top rung leaders of terror groups like leT, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Authorities suspended Internet services in Pulwama district in the wake of protests.
In neighbouring Kulgam district, terrorists attacked a police vehicle in Damhal Hanjipora area on Saturday evening.
A Constable identified as driver Khurshid Ahmad was killed in the attack while another policeman was injured.