Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The security forces achieved a major success by gunning down Abu Maaz, the senior most terrorist of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), in an encounter in Sopore on Tuesday. Police said he was among the two slain terrorists and was active in north Kashmir since 2015.

Maaz, a Pakistani national and a top commander of LeT had a prolonged history of criminal records under his belt. He also held the job of recruiting vulnerable youths to LeT and mobilising them across the Valley.

Reports say Maaz was involved in series of terror attacks in the area particularly in Sopore and Handwara. He was involved in several attacks on the Security Forces and killings of civilians in the region.

Numerous cases were registered against him in various police stations across valley for his terror activities.

"On the basis of materials recovered, one of the slain terrorists has been identified as Abu Maaz of Pakistani origin who was operating as the top commander of LeT in north Kashmir," a police spokesman was quoted by news agency PTI.

The other terrorist killed along with Maaz in Bomai area was identified as Abdul Majeed Mir alias Sameer. T slain terrorist was also involved in various cases of civilian killings and attacks on security establishments.