Hizbul militant, soldier killed in J&K’S Doda

THE MILITANT, AN IED ‘EXPERT’ WAS WANTED FOR THE KILLING OF AN RSS FUNCTIONARY AND HIS SECURITY OFFICER; A SOLDIER ALSO LOST HIS LIFE IN THE GUNFIGHT WHICH LASTED 5 HOURS

nJAMMU: A Hizbul Mujahideen commander, who was considered an IED expert and was wanted in the killing of an RSS functionary and his security officer, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda on Sunday, according to officials.

An Indian Army soldier also lost his life in the five-hour-long gunfight, which began when security forces launched a joint search operation in Posta-potra village in Gundana area, 26km from Doda, following information about the presence of some terrorists.

The operation came two weeks after top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Riyaz Naikoo was killed along with two associates by a joint team of security forces in Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Naikoo was leading the banned Hizbul Mujahideen in the Kashmir valley.

Late on Saturday, information was received regarding the presence of top Hijbul Mujahideen commander Tahir Ahmed Bhat of Pulwama in the village

Khotra in Doda. “An operation was launched and the village was cordoned off by early morning by the forces of police, army, CRPF and SSB. During the search, terrorists hiding in a house opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces,” said inspector general of police Mukesh Singh. In the encounter, Tahir Ahmed Bhat was killed and an AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.

“His name had figured in the fabrication of IED which exploded near a CRPF convoy at Banihal in March 2019. He subsequently visited Chenab Valley and was given the task of recruiting youth and reviving HM activities in the Chenab valley,” added the IGP. He was also part of a group of terrorists who killed RSS activist Chanderkant

Sharma and his personal security officer in April 2019.

The IGP said Bhat joined terrorism early last year and was directed by his mentors to target the security forces and carry out some “sensitive and sensational” attacks in Chenab Valley to create insecurity among the people and disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

“He had the capacity to organize well planned attacks on the forces. He has been wanted by law for complicity in several crimes including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities in Pulwama and Shopian districts of Kashmir as well,” Singh said.

Doda along with nearby Kishtwar district has witnessed increased terrorist activity lately.