SUHAIL KHAN
KULGAM, Dec 19: In a major breakthrough to security forces, top Hibz commander among five terrorists were killed, while two two jawans were also wounded during the encounter in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that Farooq Nali, the oldest surviving Hizbul commander, was killed during the encounter. A key figure in the Burhan Wani group, he was classified as A++ terrorist and had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
The official said that he was Active since 2014, his death marks a significant setback for Hizbul in Kashmir, with an entire operational squad, including its commander, eliminated.
The official said that on Wednesday night, following intelligence inputs about the presence of suspected terrorists at Kadder in the Behibagh area of the district, security forces launched a cordon and search operation.
However, the situation turned around as a gun battle after terrorists opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated.
In the night-long anti-militancy operation five terrorists were eliminated the official added.
A senior police officer told Kashmir Despatch that Farooq Nali was the most wanted terrorist and one of the longest-surviving in the Valley.
He said Nali was involved in many terror-related incidents, including attacks on civilians as well as on security forces, while planning and luring youth. His death is a big achievement for the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the security forces as a whole the official added.
Earlier this month, a terrorist linked with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Dachigram area. The terrorist, Junaid Ahmed Bhat, was involved in the targeted killings of civilians in Gagangir, Ganderbal, and others.
Meanwhile, last month, the Union Home Ministry ordered a special task force of the National Security Guard (NSG), the country’s counter-terrorism unit, to be stationed in Jammu in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in the region.
This year, the Jammu region has experienced a sharp rise in terror attacks, impacting eight of its 10 districts. These incidents have claimed 44 lives, including 18 security personnel, 14 civilians, and 13 militants.
