Mobile Internet services were suspended in Pulwama district of south Kashmir after the killing of Lashkar commander Ayub Lelhari in a brief gunfight with government forces in Banderpora village on Wednesday.

SSP Pulwama Chowdhary Aslam said that Lelhari was chased by police after intercepting the vehicle in which he was travelling in Banderpora.

“He tried to escape through orchards but was intercepted, resulting in brief gunfight,” said Aslam.

An official said that mobile Internet services were snapped to prevent “rumour-mongering” and law and order issues.

Pertinently, the services were restored today morning after five days.