JAMMU, Aug 11: Indian police hunted down and killed a suspected Kashmiri militant believed to be the mastermind of a 2005 attack on a disputed holy shrine, police said on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, police cornered the man, identified as Saifullah Karri, and killed him before dawn on Saturday, said occupied Jammu Inspector General of Police S.P. Vaid.

He said Karri was a leader of the Jaish-i-Muhammed Islamic group and a mastermind of the attack where a suicide bomber blew himself up in a jeep, tearing a hole in railings surrounding the Hindu shrine in Ayodhya.

Five gunmen then burst through the hole, getting to within 15 metres of its inner sanctum before being killed by guards in a fierce gunbattle.

Mr Vaid said four other Jaish members were arrested in the raid, including one who was injured in the shootout. One policeman was also wounded.—AP

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...