Top Lashkar terrorist and aide gunned down by J&K cops in plainclothes

Abbas Sheikh, who was a top commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), was shot dead, along with an associate named Saqib Manzoor, by ten undercover cops in Srinagar.

On receiving information about the presence of Sheikh and his associate Saqib Manzoor, the cops rushed to the Aloochi Bagh area and caught them by surprise, officials said.

Before they got a chance to retaliate and cause any damage, they were gunned down by the security men.

"Abbas Sheikh was the self-styled chief of The Resistance Front. As we received specific input, ten jawans of the Srinagar police, in civilian dress, laid cordon. They were challenged and in the ensuing firing both the terrorists were killed," Kashmir Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar told reporters.

Calling the operation a "major success", the police said Sheikh and Manzoor had "unleashed terror" in the region.

Besides several killings, the two were also responsible for motivating youngsters to join their cause.

In a series of tweets, J&K Police informed: "Two terrorists killed by JKP in #Srinagar City. Further details shall follow: IGP Kashmir."

Sheikh, 46, was one of the longest surviving terrorists, the police said.

He was earlier associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen and defected to Lashkar and eventually to TRF two years ago.