LeT chief operational commander killed in J&K encounter

Dreaded Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) suffered a major blow when its topmost commander Abdullah Uni was killed by the security forces in a joint operation in the apple-rich town of Sopore in north Kashmir district of Baramulla on Tuesday.

Uni, the most wanted militant commander in Kashmir, was involved in the assassination of Jamait Ahle Hadees chief Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah in April. He was also involved in deadly attacks on police and security forces including July 6, 2011 attack on a police station in Sopore, in which one policeman was killed and 9 others were injured.

Uni was also behind the killing of two sisters Akthara age 20 years and Arifa age 17 years on February 1, 2011. He was also found involved in the killing of a policeman Mohammad Shafi at Tujjar on May 17, 2011.

Uni had escaped numerous times by breaking the cordon by security forces in Sopore area. The commander was also controlling the operations in the entire valley which had given the security forces sleepless nights.

“Based on specific information, 22 Rashtriya Rifles and police launched an operation in the densely populated Batpora area of Sopore township in North Kashmir today. After ensuring that no collateral damage can take place, searches were launched.  During search, the joint party was fired upon.  In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was killed.  A pistol was recovered from his possession,” said Lieutenant Colonel JS Brar, Defence Spokesperson at Srinagar.

Police described the killing of Uni as a major success in war against terror.

“Police achieved a major success when it eliminated a dreaded militant, Abdullah Uni, Divisional Commander of LeT for North Kashmir in an encounter in Sopore”, a police spokesman said.