Stray Dogs Pacified with Biscuit Diplomacy as Security Forces Eliminate LeT Commander Usman in Ops

Srinagar, India – In a meticulously planned anti-terror operation, security forces eliminated top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Usman, also known as Chhota Waleed, in an intense encounter in Srinagar's Khanyar area. Usman, the senior-most Pakistani LeT commander operating in Jammu and Kashmir, was neutralized by a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu & Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), marking a substantial blow to LeT’s operations in the Valley.

During the encounter, two CRPF jawans and two Jammu & Kashmir Police (JKP) personnel sustained injuries; they are currently reported to be in stable condition. The security forces had identified Usman as a high-profile target, given his involvement in planning and executing numerous terror attacks and his close association with TRF commander Sajad Gul, a prominent figure in Pakistan .  

An Operation with a Unique Approach  

Planning for the operation involved a thorough nine-hour briefing phase aimed at minimizing collateral damage in the densely populated Khanyar neighbourhood. Intelligence inputs had located Usman within a cluster of about 30 residential buildings. The area posed unique challenges, particularly with stray dogs whose barking could alert Usman to the movement of security personnel. To counter this, security forces used biscuits to pacify the dogs, enabling a silent approach to the target location before the early morning Fajr prayers.

The operation unfolded as security forces cordoned off the area. The situation escalated when Usman opened fire with an AK-47, also utilizing a pistol and several grenades, leading to a protracted exchange of gunfire. At one point, grenades detonated, igniting a fire within the structure Usman occupied. Despite the flames, security personnel contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes.  

After several hours of intense engagement, Usman was neutralized. Officials hailed the mission’s success, emphasizing its importance in degrading LeT’s operational capabilities in the region.  

Usman, a Pakistani national, was a seasoned LeT operative who had operated in the Kashmir Valley since infiltrating the region around 2016-17 following his training and stay in Pakistan. Known for his deep knowledge of Kashmir's topography, he orchestrated multiple high-profile attacks, including last year’s assassination of Police Inspector Masroor Wani. His elimination represents a strategic victory for Indian security forces, who noted that his death weakens LeT's structure and disrupts its planning capabilities in the Valley.  

Concurrent Operation in Anantnag: Joint Forces Strike Another Blow  

In a separate anti-terror operation, security forces neutralized two terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and the People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) in the challenging terrain of Halkan Gali, Anantnag. The operation, known as Operation Halkan Gali, was led by the Indian Army's 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), along with 1 Para SF, 7 Para SF, and the Jammu & Kashmir Police.

Brigadier Anirudh Chauhan, Commander of 2 Sector RR, underscored the significance of this mission, noting that it delivered a major setback to terror networks in the area. He confirmed the recovery of heavy ammunition and explosives from the terrorists, who had been involved in an attack on an Indian Army camp in Kulgam in October 2023 and were responsible for numerous civilian casualties, including non-local workers.

DIG South Kashmir Range Javid Ahmad Matoo further elaborated on the operation, highlighting that actionable intelligence on terrorist movements had led to the raid. The operation, which began in the early morning hours, successfully neutralized both terrorists with no collateral damage.  

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi lauded the collaboration between the Army and J&K Police in the Anantnag operation, calling it a "significant achievement" in counter-terrorism efforts.  

Impact and Broader Implications  

The coordinated anti-terror operations in Srinagar and Anantnag underscore the determination and efficiency of Indian security forces in dismantling terror networks in Jammu & Kashmir. The elimination of Usman and the neutralization of the Anantnag terrorists mark a decisive step in India's fight against terrorism. Officials noted that these missions would likely hinder the strategic capabilities of both LeT and PAFF, as well as dampen the morale of their operatives.  

The removal of high-profile targets like Usman sends a strong message to terror groups operating in the region while strengthening public confidence in the capabilities of Indian security forces to handle complex, high-stakes situations effectively.