J&K: Lashkar-e-Islam Chief Abdul Qayoom Najar gunned down in Uri
What's the story
In a major victory for security forces in the fight against terror in Jammu & Kashmir, dreaded terrorist Abdul Qayoom Najar was gunned down in an encounter in Uri. He headed the Lashkar-e-Islam terror outfit, which is a breakaway faction of Hizbul Mujahideen. Najar, who carried a Rs. 10L reward, was killed as he was trying to infiltrate into Uri from Lachipora. Read more!
Details
Qayoom Najar was the longest-serving Hizbul commander
Qayoom Najar reportedly took up militancy at the young age of 16; he used to change his appearance to trick forces. He joined Hizbul Mujahideen and later became chief operation commander in the outfit; under an agreement, he went to Pakistan in 2015-16. However, the 43-year-old later broke away from Hizbul to form Lashkar-e-Islam, which had an ultra-radical style, after a rebellion.
Information
Dubbed the "mobile tower terrorist"
Najar was nicknamed the "mobile tower terrorist" for planning and executing several attacks on mobile towers and telecommunication offices in Kashmir in 2015. The Sopore resident was also involved in many killings across the state, including that of a village Sarpanch.