A Pakistani terrorist was neutralised in Kathua during a joint operation by the Army, the CRPF and the Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday.
The security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition including M4 automatic rifle from the terrorist. He was identified as Usman alias "Abu Maviya".
Who was Abu Maviya?
Police said Usman alias "Abu Maviya" was a commander of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. He was one of the most wanted JeM terrorists active in the Udhampur-Kathua belt for the last couple of years. He infiltrated from the Pakistani side around two years ago.
Recently, security forces targeted Abu Maviya during two encounters on January 7 and 13 in Kahog and Najote forests but he escaped both times.
The joint operation was launched in Bilawar which was cordoned off after security forces received intelligence tips. They raided a house but came under fire from the terrorist. The security personnel reacted quickly and gunned him down in close combat.
"A Pakistani Jaish terrorist has been neutralised by a small JKP team in a joint operation with the Army and CRPF in the general area of Billawar," Bhim Sen Tuti, Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, said.
"Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Joint Operation was launched by Army and Police on 23 Jan in general area Parhetar. Area was cordoned and contact established. In a precise strike by the joint forces, 1 (one) foreign terrorist has been eliminated," Army's Rising Star Corps said in a separate post on X.
Officials said anti-terrorist operations have been intensified ahead of the Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations.
