Srinagar: In a major success for the security forces, top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Abdul Qayoom Najar was on Tuesday killed in a gunbattle with security forces near the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector.


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He was trying to sneak into the Valley to take charge of the outfit.


Najar was wanted for his alleged involvement in more than 50 killings, including that of policemen in Hygam area of Sopore, in the past 17 years.


Baramulla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Imtiyaz Hussain said, "Najar was killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid in Lachipora area near the LoC this morning."


"He was returning to Kashmir to take over the command of Hizbul Mujahideen in the wake of the elimination of top commanders of the outfit by security forces," he told PTI.


"Najar started his career as a terrorist with the killing of Hizb commander Abdul Majid Dar in 2003," he said.


The officer said Najar was called to the base camp in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir by his handlers in 2015 after he fell out with the Hizb leadership.


"He was now tasked with reviving the outfit in Kashmir in the wake of elimination of top militants," he said. 


Earlier, on September 18, Abu Ismail, the Lashkar-e-Taiba 'commander' who masterminded the deadly attack on Amarnath yatra pilgrims in July, was killed by security forces in Srinagar along with another Pakistani terrorist, police said.


The two were gunned down after a brief encounter that saw the duo running for their lives.


The other terrorist has been identified as Abu Qasim alias Chota Qasim.


(With PTI inputs)