Pahalgam attack: Top LeT commander Altaf Lalli killed in Bandipora encounter

Top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli was killed in an encounter on Friday with security forces in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir, according to ANI. Two police personnel were also injured in the gun battle.

The encounter comes as part of the ongoing efforts to track down LeT terrorists believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead on April 22.

The security forces had launched a search operation in the Kulnar Ajas area of the district based on the intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, following which the fighting ensued.

"On 25 Apr 2025, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Search Operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the general area of Kolnar Ajas, Bandipora. Contact was established, and a firefight ensued." Chinar Corps of the Indian Army wrote on X.

This comes amid uproar over terrorists attacking tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured.

Following the terror attack, the central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.

The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar on Friday to hold a security review meeting with the 15 Corps of the Army. He will also visit Baisaran meadows, the spot where the terrorist attack took place this week, according to reports.

In another development, the authorities demolished the houses of two terrorists suspected of being involved in the Pahalgam attack. The house of Lashkar terrorist Adil Hussain Thoker was destroyed using IEDs in Bijbehara, and the residence of Asif Sheikh was bulldozed in Tral.