How Biscuits Played a Huge Role in Taking Out Top Commander of Lashkar e-Taiba in Kashmir – Firstpost

The recent anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir, which led to the elimination of a high-profile Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, witnessed the role of a key ammunition cookie.

A senior official announced in a PTI report that this seemingly ordinary snack played a crucial role in overcoming a crucial obstacle during the mission targeting Pakistan-based terrorist Usman, who was heavily armed with an AK-47 pistol and grenades.

So what happened? How did cookies become a crucial strategic asset? We explain.

The careful planning

It all started when security officials received information about LeT commander Usman’s presence in a densely populated residential area of ​​Khanyar in Srinagar.

Usman alias Chota Walid was head of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and was known for orchestrating many terror attacks since he started his activities in the early 2000s.

He was also involved in the murder of police inspector Masroor Wani last year, who was shot dead at close range while playing cricket at the capital’s Eidgah ground.

Usman operated from
Jammu and Kashmir for a long time. After a period in Pakistan, he infiltrated the region again around 2016-2017 and was responsible for many terrorist attacks.

An officer, quoted by PTIdescribed Usman as the ‘right hand’ of Sajad Gul, the commander of
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of LeT, operating from Pakistan.

When intelligence pinpointed Usman’s location in a residential cluster, local police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) meticulously planned a nine-hour operation to kill Usman while minimizing collateral damage. File image/PTI.

When intelligence pinpointed Usman’s location in a residential cluster, local police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) meticulously planned a nine-hour operation. The goal was to ensure precision and minimize any collateral damage.

The entire operation would begin on Saturday before Fajr (the pre-dawn prayer), with security forces establishing a cordon around a cluster of 30 houses.

However, one of the biggest concerns was the presence of stray dogs in the area, whose barking could alert the terrorist.

To combat this problem, the search teams came up with a plan: they would bring cookies to calm the stray dogs as they approached the target area.

A ‘big blow’ for LeT

The security forces soon found themselves in an intense confrontation with Usman, who was heavily armed with an AK-47, a pistol and several grenades.

During the confrontation, some grenades exploded, causing a fire in the house where Usman was hiding. Thanks to the quick action of security staff, the fire was quickly brought under control, preventing it from spreading to surrounding homes.

This operation was particularly significant and marked the first major firefight in the summer capital of Srinagar in more than two years.

After several hours of heavy gunfire, Usman was finally neutralized.

An official described the elimination of the top LeT commander as a “major blow” to the group’s operations in Jammu and Kashmir, as reported by PTI.

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: At an encounter in Khanyar area of ​​Srinagar, Kashmir IGP VK Birdi says, “…Now this operation has been completed. Security forces have killed a terrorist, who has been identified as Usman…, he was the commander of LeT and 4 security personnel are… pic.twitter.com/QSubmR0tHZ

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2024

However, the encounter was not without its toll. Two CRPF jawans and two policemen sustained injuries during the operation. They were immediately taken to the Army’s 92 Base Hospital where they were reported to be in stable condition.

Recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir

A few hours after the successful operation, at least eleven people were injured in a grenade attack on Srinagar’s ‘Sunday market’.

The
The newly sworn-in Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah condemned the incident, calling it “very disturbing.”

In a statement, he said: “Recent days have been dominated by headlines about attacks and encounters in parts of the valley. Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday Market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing. There can be no justification for attacking innocent civilians.”

He further urged security forces to take swift action, adding: “The security apparatus must do everything possible to end this wave of attacks as soon as possible so that people can live their lives without any fear.”

At least eleven people were injured in a grenade attack on the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar. This attack followed a series of counter-terrorism operations in response to escalating violence against migrant workers in the Kashmir Valley. Reuters

This attack followed a series of counter-terrorism operations in response to escalating violence against migrant workers in the Kashmir Valley.

Earlier, two workers from Uttar Pradesh were killed in Budgam district. Before this, seven people, including a local doctor and two laborers from Bihar, were shot dead at a tunnel construction site in Ganderbal district.

Also read:
Quicksplained: Who was Phantom, the Indian Army dog ​​who died during the J&K anti-terror operation?

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, whose son Omar Abdullah recently took over as prime minister, suggested that the wave of terror activities could be an attempt to destabilize the new government and called for an independent investigation into the recent attacks.

With input from agencies