A senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist identified as Sulaiman Shah alias ‘Moosa’ was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said. The operation took place in the higher reaches of the Yousmarg area, where security forces had launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs.
The encounter took place in the Korag area near Yousmarg in central Kashmir. According to officials, a joint search operation was launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area.
During the operation, security personnel detected suspicious movement and challenged the suspected terrorists. The militants responded by opening fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire between the two sides. One terrorist was subsequently neutralised.
The slain terrorist was identified as Sulaiman Shah, also known by the alias ‘Moosa’. Officials described him as a wanted operative and commander associated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Moosa Was Wanted in Several Terror Cases
According to officials, Moosa had been wanted in connection with several terror-related incidents and militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
His alleged involvement in militant operations had made him a significant target for security agencies conducting counter-terror operations in the region. The latest encounter came weeks after he reportedly escaped another security operation in the Yousmarg hills.
During an earlier encounter in the Yousmarg area, security forces had engaged suspected terrorists. Moosa reportedly managed to escape the operation, while his associate Yasir was killed.
Joint Operation Conducted in Difficult Terrain
The latest operation was conducted in a remote and forested area, presenting significant challenges for security personnel. The Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF coordinated the operation to locate and engage the suspected terrorists.
Security forces reportedly noticed suspicious movement in the Korag-Yousmarg area. After the suspects were challenged, they opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
The encounter ultimately resulted in the death of Moosa, according to officials.
Security Search Continued After Encounter
Following the encounter, security forces continued search operations in the surrounding forested and mountainous areas to determine whether additional terrorists were hiding in the vicinity.
Authorities have not immediately released all details concerning the operation or whether other individuals were present at the site. Further information is expected as security agencies complete their searches and verification procedures.
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The operation also involved extensive area-domination measures because of the challenging terrain and the possibility that other suspected militants could be hiding nearby.
Major Development in Kashmir Counter-Terror Operations
The killing of Moosa marks a significant development in ongoing counter-terror operations in central Kashmir, particularly because security agencies had identified him as a wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba operative.
Security forces have continued intelligence-based operations across Jammu and Kashmir to identify militant networks, track suspected terrorists and prevent attacks.
The Budgam encounter highlights the continuing importance of coordinated operations involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF. Intelligence-led searches have remained a key component of counter-terror efforts in the region.
The mountainous and densely forested areas of Kashmir can provide difficult terrain for security forces while also offering potential hiding places for armed militants. As a result, operations in such areas often involve extensive searches after an encounter.
Authorities are expected to gather additional information about Moosa’s alleged activities, his associates and the network with which he was connected as the investigation progresses.
The security operation and follow-up searches remain part of the broader efforts by security agencies to disrupt militant networks and prevent further violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
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