Lashkar-e-Islam chief Abdul Qayoom Najar with Rs 10 lakh bounty killed in Uri

Lashkar-e-Islam's chief Abdul Qayoom Najar was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kahsmir's Uri on Tuesday.

Nicknamed 'mobile tower terrorist', Najar was trying to infiltrate from Lachipora in Uri when he was gunned down by the security forces.

It was a major success for the security forces as Najar was wanted for his alleged involvement in more than 50 killings, including that of policemen in Hygam area of Sopore, in the past 17 years.

Baramulla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Imtiyaz Hussain said, "Najar was killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid in Lachipora area near the LoC this morning." "He was returning to Kashmir to take over the command of Hizbul Mujahideen in the wake of elimination of top commanders of the outfit by security forces," he told PTI.

"He was now tasked with reviving the outfit in Kashmir in the wake of elimination of top militants," he added.

He was heading Lashkar-e-Islam, a breakaway faction of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

He had gone to Pakistan after he agreed to truce with Hizbul in 2015-16.

The 43-year-old was a resident of Sopore.

Najar was involved in several killings including that of a village sarpanch in the area.

The longest serving Hizbul commander, Qayoom Najar joined militancy at the age of 16.

Known as meticulous strategist, Najar soon rose in ranks and became chief operation commander in Hizbul.

However, he broke away from Hizbul and formed Lashkar-e-Islam after a rebellion. His outfit had ultra radical style.

He was nicknamed mobile tower terrorist for several attacks on the cellular towers in Kashmir.

(With PTI input)