"Abu Hanzullah has been killed in the operation launched in Rajwar belt of Handwara," IG Police S M Sahai said.
A police spokesman said Hanzullah was one of the top ranking commanders active in north Kashmir since 2007 and involved in several attacks on civilians and security forces.
Troops of 21 Rashtriya Rifles, Police and CRPF launched an operation in Rajwar area last evening following information about Hanzullah's presence there, he said.
The spokesman said the militant opened fired as he was trapped in a mud-house at village Dudipora, 80 km from here.
The security forces retaliated, triggering a gunbattle, he said adding the operation was halted during the night but a tight cordon was maintained around the house to prevent the militant from escaping.
The dreaded militant was eliminated in fresh exchange of fire this morning, the spokesman said.
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He said Hanzullah was operating in Handwara belt of Kupwara since 2007.
"He was an IED expert and was involved in facilitating infiltration of militants and their distribution, targeting and killing of civilians and security force personnel and was also involved in abetting forest smuggling in Rajwara forest belt in nexus with timber smugglers," he said.
The spokesman said his killing will give a "severe jolt" to the activities of LeT particularly in north Kashmir. "His elimination is a major success for police and other security forces," he added.