Top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Abu Ismail, who carried out the attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in July, was killed on Thursday along with another militant in Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar city, police said.
The other terrorist has been identified as Chhota Kasim.
Advertisement
A spokesperson of the Army said, security forces following an information about the presence of militants in Nowgam village in the outskirts of Srinagar city, launched a cordon and search operation.
The LeT militants opened fire at the surrounding security forces, triggering an encounter with them. Two AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition has been recovered from the spot of encounter, spokesperson said.
Eight pilgrims were killed and 13 others injured in the attack on the Amarnath yatris bus.
The killing of Abu Ismail is seen as a major success by the security forces in their continuing anti-militancy operations.