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Top Jaish commander gunned down in Srinagar

Last updated on: March 10, 2011 21:32 IST
Security personnel look at the gunned down vehicle of slain JeM commander Sajad Afghani near Dal Lake on Thursday

In a major success, security forces gunned down Sajad Afghani, the chief commander of the frontline Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, along with his guard on the shores of the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Thursday afternoon.

A senior police official said that the JeM chief commander Sajad Afghani was killed along with his bodyguard Bilal, both foreign nationals, during an encounter with police on the shores of Dal Lake near Hazratbal on Thursday afternoon.

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Top Jaish commander gunned down in Srinagar

Last updated on: March 10, 2011 21:32 IST
Arms and ammunition recovered from Afghani's car

He said police intercepted the vehicle on specific information on the foreshore in which Afghani and his guard was travelling.

"They opened fire triggering a gunfight at the end of which both the militants were killed," the police official said.

Top Jaish commander gunned down in Srinagar

Last updated on: March 10, 2011 21:32 IST
Security personnel at the encounter site

He said Afghani had been active for the past eight years and was on the top of the waned list.

A police spokesman in Srinagar said, "In a major breakthrough against militancy, Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday eliminated the chief commander of the Jaishe Mohammad outfit Sajad Afghani alias Qari Hamaad and his associate Umeer Bilal on the foreshore road in Srinagar."

Top Jaish commander gunned down in Srinagar

Last updated on: March 10, 2011 21:32 IST
Security personnel at the encounter site near Srinagar's famed Dal Lake
He said the JeM commander was involved in many attacks on security personnel and had masterminded the Qamarwari attack earlier this year.

Top Jaish commander gunned down in Srinagar

Last updated on: March 10, 2011 21:32 IST
Local people look on as security personnel search Afghani's vehicle after the encounter

The spokesman said Sajad Afghani was also actively pursuing the re-grouping of the Jaish-e-Mohammad militants in north Kashmir's Tarzoo area.

"He was active in Sopore, Rafiabad and Zainageer area and had of late shifted to Srinagar," he added.