Srinagar, Oct. 23 -- In a major breakthrough, the security forces have gunned down slain terrorist Zakir Musa's successor and chief of Kashmir's al-Qaeda unit Hamid Lelhari. Hamid Lelhari is one of the three terrorists killed by the security forces in an encounter, which began in Awantipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening.

Hameed Lelhari, 30, was a native of Pulwama.

The development assumes significance as al Qaeda affiliated Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) had named Lelhari as its new commander after Zakir Musa's death in May 2019.

Jammu Kashmir Police on Wednesday announced that the three terrorists neutralised in the encounter with the security forces in Awantipora have been identified.

The three terrorists have been ide...