Top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Abu Dujana, a Pakistani national wanted in connection with many attacks on security forces, and his aide were today killed in an encounter in Pulwama district of Kashmir, the Army said.

As the security forces were engaged in the counter-militancy operation, over 100 protestors pelted stones on them, an Army official said.

Giving details of the operation, the official said that security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Hakripora area of Pulwama late last night following information about presence of Abu Dujana and his local aide, Arif Lilhaari, in the area.

An encounter broke out between the holed up militants and security forces early today. During the ensuing firefight, both the militants were killed, the official said. Bodies of the slain militants have been recovered, the official said adding the operation has now been called off.

Abu Dujana was wanted in many militancy-related attacks on security forces and political workers in south Kashmir. He was category ‘A’ militant and carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, a police official said.

Clashes erupt near encounter site

One person was killed and several others injured today as security forces opened fire on stone-pelting protestors near the encounter site in Pulwama, police said.

While there was no official word on the identity of the deceased, locals who had brought him to the hospital said his name was Firdous Ahmad, a police official said. “One person with fire arm injuries was brought dead at Pulwama district hospital,” the official said.

At least six other persons were injured in security forces’ action against violent protestors near the encounter site.

The official said that over 100 “miscreants” started pelting stones at security forces involved in the anti-militancy operation in Hakripora area of Pulwama. He said the security forces used tear smoke shells, pellets and fired few live rounds to disperse the stone-pelting protestors.

As the security forces were retreating from the encounter site, some youth started pelting stones at them near district hospital Pulwama. The security forces responded by opening fire, resulting in injuries to two persons including a nurse working inside the hospital, the official said.

He said two other persons were brought to the hospital in an injured condition but it was not clear where they suffered the injuries.

Reports of protests have been received from several parts of south Kashmir and from some parts of the city as well.

Mobile Internet services suspended across Kashmir Valley

Mobile Internet services were today suspended across Kashmir as a precautionary measure in the wake of clashes. A police official said that mobile Internet has been suspended across the Valley to prevent miscreants from indulging in unnecessary propaganda.

He said the facility has been suspended across all service providers and platforms like 2G, 3G and 4G.

Although broadband Internet services on landlines were functional, the speed has been choked to prevent uploading of videos and large images.

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