Operation Ashdar: Pakistani LeT terrorist Yasir killed in Budgam, J&K Police confirms identity
Yasir, Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist gunned down. (Image courtesy: X/@JmuKmrPolice)
New Delhi: The terrorist killed during Operation Ashdar in Jammu & Kashmir’s Budgam district has been identified as Yasir, a Pakistani national associated with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Jammu & Kashmir Police said on Saturday. The police identification provides fresh details about the terrorist who was killed after security forces launched a joint operation in the Ashdar Gali area.
In a post on X, the Jammu & Kashmir Police said, “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide!” It further stated that the terrorist neutralized during Operation Ashdar had been identified as Yasir, a Pakistani national of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The latest development comes a day after RNA Media had earlier reported that one terrorist was killed during the joint operation in Budgam following specific intelligence inputs. At the time of the earlier report, the identity, nationality and terror affiliation of the slain terrorist had not been officially disclosed.
The operation was conducted by the Indian Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Ashdar Gali area. Security forces had launched searches after receiving intelligence regarding the presence of a suspected terrorist in the forested belt.
The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps had earlier said that troops detected suspicious movement during the operation and challenged the terrorist. The terrorist responded with gunfire, leading to an exchange of fire in which one militant was neutralized.
With Yasir’s identity now established, security agencies are examining his alleged role in previous terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir. According to PTI, officials have linked him to the ambush targeting an Indian Air Force convoy in Poonch and an attack involving Army personnel and civilian workers in 2024.
Meanwhile, the search operation in the area continues. Security forces are maintaining a cordon across the difficult mountainous terrain as they look for another suspected terrorist believed to be hiding in the area.
The encounter site is situated at a high altitude in the Pir Panjal range, with adverse weather conditions adding to the operational challenges.
