Qasim's killing will degrade LeT's capacity in Kashmir: Uday Bhaskar

Security and strategic affairs expert Commodore (retd) Uday Bhaskar on Thursday said that the neutralization of top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Abu Qasim is a 'significant development', as it would degrade the capacity of the militant group to operate in Kashmir.

"The neutralization of the LeT commander Abu Qasim is a significant development. It would degrade the capacity of Lashkar-e-Taiba to operate in Kashmir in the manner in which they have in the last few months," Commodore (retd) Bhaskar told ANI.

"Qasim is alleged to be a mastermind of the Gurdaspur attack. He was able to stay in Jammu and Kashmir under cover and motivate and encourage some of the local people to be part of this effort," he added.

Uday Bhaskar further said that Qasim had been on the radar of Indian security forces for a long time.

In a joint operation conducted in Bandipora area of Kashmir, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police killed Abu Qasim.

Qasim was reportedly the mastermind of the terrorist attack on a Border Security Force (BSF) convoy in Udhampur on August 5. One of the terrorist named Usman was later arrested.

Qasim was also reportedly involved in the killing of Sub Inspector Altaf Ahmad of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on October 7.

Qasim was said to be responsible for setting up the 'Source trap' in Bandipore where the courageous police officer was killed.

Qasim carried an award of Rs. 20 lakh on his head.