Biscuits played key role in encounter of Lashkar commander in J&K: Report

Srinagar: A successful counter-terror operation that killed a high-profile terror commander in J&K was characterised not just by strategic planning but also by an unconventional solution – biscuits.

Usman was killed in a day-long encounter in the densely populated Khanyar area of ​​Srinagar on Saturday, the first major encounter in the summer capital in over two years. The operation involved a joint effort by the local police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Senior officers highlighted the importance of snacks in mitigating the challenge posed by stray dogs during the operation against Usman, a commander of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

A key concern was the presence of stray dogs, whose barking could potentially alert the militants.

To counter this, the search team was given biscuits to calm the dogs as they approached their targets.

Officials said Usman, who was well acquainted with the valley’s terrain, was a key figure in carrying out several terror attacks since his initial activity in the early 2000s.

After spending some time in Pakistan, he returned to the region around 2016-17 and was involved in the shooting death of police inspector Masroor Wani last year.

When intelligence inputs indicated Usman’s presence in a residential area, nine hours of meticulous planning was undertaken to ensure the success of the operation without any casualties.

The entire deployment was carried out before Fajr (morning prayers), with security forces cordoning off a cluster of 30 houses.

The standoff escalated when Usman – armed with an AK-47, a pistol and several hand grenades – got involved in a fierce gunfight with the security forces.

During the encounter, some grenades exploded, setting the house on fire, which was quickly doused by the security personnel to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

After several hours of fierce gunfight, Usman was gunned down. Four security personnel were injured in the encounter, who are said to be in stable condition.

The operation is a significant victory for the security forces, especially against The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the LeT, which has targeted non-local labourers and security personnel.

The successful mission underlines the extent to which the authorities can go, including finding unique and unconventional solutions, to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their operations.

The encounter is not only a watershed moment in counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir but also highlights the challenges faced by security forces in maintaining peace in the region.