JeM commander killed in J&K gunfight

A senior commander of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant group was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Sunday, police said.

The militant, identified as Adnan, was killed in Aripal village in the Tral area after security forces launched a search operation following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants there.

According to a police officer, security personnel surrounded the suspected location and tightened the cordon to prevent the militant from escaping.

“As the cordon was tightened, the militant opened fire,” the officer said.

Security forces retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. The house where Adnan was reportedly hiding was damaged during the operation.

The militant was eventually shot dead by the security forces.

The operation highlights the continued security challenges in south Kashmir, particularly in Pulwama and neighbouring areas, which have witnessed repeated encounters involving militant groups.

Security forces routinely launch cordon-and-search operations in the region based on intelligence inputs to locate suspected militants. Such operations can also involve restrictions on movement and heightened security measures in surrounding areas to prevent militants from fleeing the cordoned zone.

Further details about the identity and operational background of the slain commander were not immediately available.