In the ongoing encounter in the Bajimaal area of the Dharmsal belt of the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir which left four Indian Army personnel martyred yesterday and two others injured, troops gunned down a highly-ranked terrorist leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba in the fresh exchange of firing which started this morning. The deceased terrorist is a Pak National and has been identified as Qari. He has been trained on the Pakistan & Afghan Front and has been active in Rajouri-Poonch along with his group for the past year. He is also believed to be the mastermind of the Dangri & Kandi attacks. According to the Defence Spokesperson, Qari was sent by his masters across the border to revive terrorism in the region. He is an expert in IEDs, operating & hiding from Caves, and a trained sniper.
The area was cordoned off overnight with the induction of additional security forces to ensure that terrorists engaged in the encounter did not escape from the area.