Security forces have gunned down the killer of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Wakeel Shah was among three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants who were killed during a cordon and search operation in the upper reaches of forest area of Nagbaeran, Tral. Rakesh Pandita, a municipal councillor of Tral in Pulwama district and BJP leader, was killed when three gunmen opened fire at him on June 2 as he was visiting a friend.

This was the second gunfight in Pulwama in as many days. On Friday, police said, two Hizbul Mujahideen militants who were part of a “hit squad” of the outfit and responsible for civilian killings, were killed during a cordon and search operation in Pampore area of the district. Police chief Dilbag Singh, who chaired a security review meeting with senior officials in the neighbouring Kulgam district on Friday, asked security forces to remain alert as militant outfits were continuously trying to disturb peace in the union territory.

Singh called for intensified cordon and search operations to eliminate the “remaining terrorists,” a police spokesman said.

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“Singh directed the officers to further strengthen and augment the intelligence as well as security grids in their respective areas for the safety and security of the people,” the spokesman said.

Suspicious elements providing any kind of support to terrorist activities should be kept under the radar, the police chief stressed.

He also reiterated the importance of “maintaining close synergy between the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies to meet the security challenges. The DGP directed the officers to revisit the security plans of their respective jurisdictions.”

“He directed officers to remain extra alert as terror outfits are continuously trying to foment trouble and disturb the peace. The DGP ordered a series of measures to further tighten the noose on anti-national elements,” the spokesman said.