Police announce Rs 15 lakh reward for information on LeT commander Latif Bhat

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Latif Bhat, who is suspected of involvement in a series of recent targeted attacks in the Union Territory.

‘Wanted’ posters carrying Bhat’s photograph have been put up across several districts of south Kashmir and parts of the Jammu region. Police have appealed to people to share any information about his whereabouts, assuring that the identity of informers would be kept confidential.

Bhat came into prominence following the Shopian encounter, where he was trapped along with senior Lashkar commander Zakir Ganai. The encounter continued for five days and ended with Ganai being killed, while Bhat managed to escape.

Security agencies suspect that Bhat subsequently revived sleeper networks and was involved in attacks targeting non-local workers and security personnel on the directions of handlers across the border.

Bhat is also the prime accused in the targeted killing of a policeman in Anantnag last month, following which security agencies launched a major crackdown across Kashmir. His involvement is also suspected in the recent killing of two migrant workers in Kulgam.

The two workers, both from Chhattisgarh, were attacked by gunmen. Deepak died at the spot, while Bhupender succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.