Lashker mastermind of 2005 Delhi blasts killed

Srinagar, Dec 1: A foreign militant of Pakistan based Lashker- e-Toiba (LeT), who masterminded the 2005 Delhi blast, was killed in an encounter by the troops in north Kashmir today, a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said troops of 29 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), acting on a tip off launched a swift operation at Kreeri in north Kashmir district of Baramulla early this morning.

However, the militant identified as Ali Baba, a resident of Sindh, Pakistan, tried to escape from the cordoned off area but was trapped in a nullah.

When the militant was asked to surrender, he opened fire and also hurled hand grenades. Troops also retaliated and in the fierce clash, the militant was killed.

Security forces did not suffer any damage, he said, adding the militant Ali Baba alias Abu Hubeza, a self styled Deputy commander of LeT, was active in the area for the past two years.

He said Baba was brain behind the Delhi blasts in October 2005.

A listed militant, he was wanted in a number of militancy related incidents in north Kashmir, he said.

UNI