Srinagar, Jul 23 (IANS): Security forces Tuesday killed Qari Yasir, the most wanted commander of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), in a gunfight in north Kashmir.

Claiming the killing a major success in their anti-insurgency operations, Kashmir zone Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Gani Mir said: "On specific information, police and troops of Rashtriya Rifles launched an operation in Garewad village of Sogam tehsil in Kupwara district early this (Tuesday) morning."

"The hiding chief commander of operations of Jaish was challenged to surrender, but he resorted to indiscriminate firing on security forces, triggering a gunfight that ended after he was shot dead," the IGP said.

Police also said that Qari Yasir, 30, had been active for the last decade. He had taken over as the chief commander of operations of the JeM since the last three years. He belonged to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Pakistan.

"He was responsible for coordinating infiltration bids from across the Line of Control (LOC) not only for Jaish but for all militant outfits," police said.