Ayodhya attack mastermind killed in Jammu

Jammu, Aug 11: Foiling a major terror plot on the eve of Independence day, security forces today gunned down a dreaded militant and Indian coordinator of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in an encounter at Janipur area of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

Inspector General of Police S P Vaid told the sources over the phone that the militant identified as Saifullah Qari, was also the mastermind behind the attack on Ram Janambhoomi complex at Ayodhya in 2004.

Acting on tip-off from Interlink Bureau, a special joint team of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a search operation at Janipur Chowk at 0200 hrs.

During the operation, the police team came under fire from the militants. The fire was returned and in the gunbattle Saifullah was killed while his associate Abdul Rahman sustained serious injuries, Dr Vaid said.

UNI