Mehmood’s killing setback for Jaish suicide squads: DGP

Jammu, November 9

The killing of three militants, including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s divisional commander Mehmood Bhai and Maulana Masood Azhar’s nephew Tallah Rashid, has come as a setback for Jaish suicide squads in Kashmir, a top police officer said.

The three militants were gunned down by security forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid said Mehmood was instrumental in motivating and organising suicide attacks in Kashmir. “His (Mehmood’s) elimination is not only a setback, but has definitely created confusion and demoralisation in the fidayeen groups of Jaish,” Vaid said yesterday. Security forces and police in Kashmir have been facing the challenge of suicide squads, he said, describing the form of militant attack as an attempt “from across the border to bolster the sagging morale of terrorists”. A US-made M4 rifle used by the Pakistan army was also recovered after the encounter.

The J&K Police chief said the killing of Tallah exposed the links of Jaish chief Azhar, his family and Pakistan with terrorism in Kashmir. — PTI