Security forces on Monday continued with a crackdown on terrorist groups in Kashmir valley and gunned down four terrorists in the last 24 hours, including Mudasir Ahmed Khan of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) who was one of the main conspirators of the Pulwama suicide attack last month that killed 40 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

“In last 21 days, we have eliminated 18 terrorists, out of them 14 being from JeM. Six out of 14 were main commanders of the terror group. JeM’s 2nd commander Mudasir who was one of the main conspirator in national highway convoy attack has also been eliminated," Lt General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, General Officer Commanding, XV Corps, said on Monday, nearly a month after the terror strike in Pulwama.

Members of the security establishment said that Mudasir was part of the team that bought the vehicle used in the Pulwama attack 10 days before the 14 February strike. The vehicle, a Maruti Eeco mini van, was loaded with explosives. Adil Ahmed Dar of the JeM rammed the vehicle into a CRPF bus that was part of a convoy going from Jammu to Srinagar. Dar had been in constant contact with Mudasir, the officials said.

Senior officers said that Mudasir was also responsible for arranging the explosives that were used in the attack. At least 200kg of explosives was used in the terror strike, according to estimates made by security agencies.

Mudasir Khan, the eldest son of a labourer, did a one-year diploma as an electrician from an Industrial Training Institute, after completing his graduation, according to a Press Trust of India report.

Mudasir is also believed to have been involved in the terror strike at the Army camp in Sunjwan in February 2018, in which five Army personnel and a civilian were killed.

Mudasir Ahmed Khan’s killing follows a sustained campaign against JeM that started after the Pulwama attack, which was the biggest on the paramilitary force since its deployment in Kashmir in 2005.

Security forces had earlier killed JeM commander Kamran who also played an active role in the Pulwama attack.

“Mudasir Ahmed Khan, alias ‘Mohd Bhai’, was among the two militants killed in the encounter in Tral’s Pinglish area in Pulwama district. We are peacekeepers and we ensure that no one raises a gun against the country," said CRPF inspector general (operations), Jammu and Kashmir, Zulfiqar Hasan.

Security agencies said that they have reached out to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and would share evidence on the Pulwama attack found at Mudasir Khan’s hideout. The home ministry had asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the case.

NIA officials had searched Mudasir Khan’s home soon after the terror attack in Pulwama took place.

gyan.v@livemint.com

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