Severe blow to Hizb in South Kashmir: DIG
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Dec 19: In a major breakthrough, security forces today killed five militants including top Hizbul Mujah-ideen commander, Farooq Ahmed Bhat alias Farooq Nali – the longest surviving militant of the outfit in the region – in a gun battle in Kulgam district.
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Hizbul commander, identified as Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Deschen Yemrich in Kulgam district had been active in the Valley for close to a decade and was one of the most wanted militants in the region.
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According to police records, Nali, in his early 40s, had been active since 2015 and was one of the longest-surviving militants. He was categorised as “A++”. He became commander of the outfit after the killing of Hizb operational commander Saifullah in a 2020 gunbattle in Srinagar.
His killing is a huge success for the security forces as he as per security agencies was behind several militant attacks in the region. He had 37 FIRs registered against him.
Acting on credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area, a joint team comprising the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army’s 34 Rashtriya Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon-and-search operation last night.
As the cordon was being laid, militants opened fire on security forces and attempted to flee.
The security forces successfully foiled their escape attempt, and in the ensuing gun battle, which lasted nearly two hours, five Hizb militants were killed in an orchard. During the exchange of fire, two Army personnel were injured.
The slain militants were identified as Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Mushtaq Ahmad Yatoo, Irfan Yaqoob, Adil Hajam, and Yasir Javed-all residents of Kulgam district.
Brigadier Anirudh Chauhan, Commander of 2 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, while addressing the press after the gun-battle, lauded the coordinated efforts of the security forces.
“We achieved significant success when we received news last night that a group of Hizbul Mujahideen cadres was present in the residential area. The operation was planned meticulously and launched jointly by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF. Farooq Ahmad Bhat, who played a pivotal role in reviving terrorism in the region, was among those neutralized. With the elimination of these five terrorists, not only has Hizbul Mujahideen’s presence in Shopian and Kulgam been wiped out, but terrorism in Kashmir has suffered a significant setback,” he told reporters.
He further credited the success to the cooperation of local residents. “I would like to thank the people of Kulgam, who provided crucial information and extended their full support during the operation. The synergy of security forces and the commitment of the Indian Army to establish peace in Kashmir could be gauged by today’s success,” the Army commander added.
“During the encounter, two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries and were promptly evacuated to the 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar. Both are reported to be in stable condition and are expected to recover soon”.
DIG South Kashmir, Javed Iqbal Matoo, said that the operation also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, and important documents. “These items will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation and have been included in the FIR. The sustained surveillance and intelligence-sharing among security agencies proved effective in today’s gun-battle,” he told a press conference.
“The killing of Farooq Ahmad Bhat and his associates has dealt a severe blow to Hizbul Mujahideen’s capabilities in south Kashmir,” he added.
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