Most wanted Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toeba (LeT) commander Naveed Jatt, who was part of 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab's group that underwent arms training at a Madrassa in Pakistan, was killed along with his associate by the security forces in the Kuthpora-Chattergam area of Central Kashmir's Budgam district on Wednesday.Hailing from Multan in Pakistan, Jatt alias Hanzalla was LeT's Kashmir chief and prime accused in the assassination of Editor-in-chief of Rising Kashmir Syed Shujaat Bukhari on July 14. Since Jatt is hailing from Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir police is approaching the centre to take up the matter with Islamabad for handing over his body to them for the last rites.Police said a cordon and search operation was launched in the predawn hours based on input about the presence of terrorists in Kuthpora Chattergam area."As the searches were going on, the security forces came under fire from the hiding terrorists. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight. In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were neutralised. One of them has been identified as Naveed Jatt," said a police spokesman.On February 6, 2018, Jatt had pulled off a dramatic escape from Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital after his associates shot dead two policemen accompanying him for a medical checkup.Jatt, who had confessed to have met the 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab in the training camp in Pakistan, had infiltrated into the Valley along with his associates in October, 2012.During his stint in Kashmir, he had killed security force men and civilians and was also involved in grenade attacks and bank robberies. He was arrested in June, 2014. Four years later, he escaped from police custody on February 6.Police said Jatt was the prime suspect in the assassination of Shujaat Bukhari and his security personnel. The incident had turned public sentiment against Naveed Jatt and three others on the basis of evidence collected in the case that is still being investigated.Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbag Singh, hoped that with the killing of Jatt there will be a marked decrease in terror activity in south Kashmir."We have killed around two dozen terrorists in the past one week. We want to thank people for extending full cooperation to us. Decrease in the number of terrorists is in the interest of the people. People feel secured," he added.With the killing of Jatt, security forces have almost eliminated the entire top brass of terrorists in the Valley. There are now three top commanders left, that includes Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind chief Zakir Musa, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo, and Al Badr commander Zeenat-ul-Islam."We review the operational work on a day-to-day basis. Other commanders are now our target. We will try (to eliminate them) in coming time," said Singh.Official figures reveal that there are still 200 to 250 terrorists operating in Kashmir. "The number keeps fluctuating. Sometimes there is infiltration and the number goes up. When terrorists are killed the number goes down. Now they (terrorists) are not getting new recruits. People are realising the futility of violence," Singh added.The DGP also appealed to the misguided youth to shun the path of violence and promised their rehabilitation. "We do not feel good when terrorists are killed, particularly the locals. We want to assure them that we will help in their rehabilitation if they are not involved in crime. The government is seriously considering the rehabilitation policy," he said.

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Police said LeT’s Jatt was prime suspect in killing of Shujaat Bukhari and his security men. The incident had turned public sentiment against Naveed Jatt and 3 others on the basis of evidence collected in the case pointing at them.