INDIAN POLICE have killed a notorious Pakistani terrorist leader in the disputed state of Kashmir, sparking protests from his supporters yesterday.

Lashkar-e-Taiba head of operations Abu Qasim was killed in a gun battle with police and soldiers in Kulgam, 45 miles south of state capital Srinagar, on Wednesday night.

Senior police officer Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said Mr Qasim had been killed as he tried to break through surrounding forces.

The terrorist was behind many attacks on security forces, including the killing of police counterinsurgency expert Mohammed Altaf.

“After Altaf’s killing, it was not only professional but also personal duty for us to get him,” Mr Gillani said.

Hundreds of people tried to march to the site of the gun battle, blockading roads and throwing stones at security forces, who responded with tear gas.

Salafist group Lashkar-e-Taiba seeks Kashmir’s annexation by Pakistan and was blamed for the 2008 Mumbai bombings.