Ayodhya attack plotter killed in J-K

Police on monday claimed that Jaish-e-Mohammad JeM commander Abdullah Sahni alias Daud alias Sheikh,who was killed in an encounter at Mendhar in Jamp;Ks Poonch district Sunday night,was the main organiser of the 2005 fidayeen attack in Ayodhya.

The slain militant was not only involved in the planning and execution of the Ayodhya attack but he also supervised the operation, Jammu IGP Ashok Gupta said. Sahni,GDP Kuldeep Khoda said,was a Pakistani national. He was earlier operating with Saifullah Karri,who was killed in an encounter in Janipur area of Jammu city in year 2007, the DGP said. Karri and Daud arranged men and arms for the fidayeen attack in Ayodhya.

On July 5,2005,six militants tried to force their way into Ram Janmabhoomi complex at Ayodhya but were gunned down by the CRPF men posted there. Their alleged guide,a local,was also killed.

Sahni,Khoda said,had earlier escaped a week-long encounter with security forces in Bathidhar area of Mendhar in January 2009. This time,however,he wasnt as lucky. Security forces trapped him in Narole forest and killed him after a night-long gunbattle.