Srinagar: Five Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, including a top commander, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Thursday, officials said here.
Two security forces personnel sustained injuries in the operation that was launched in the early hours of the day, they said.
“Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Kadder in Behibagh area of the district on Wednesday night following information about the presence of terrorists there,” the officials said.
They said the search operation turned into an encounter as the terrorists opened fire on security forces, who retaliated.
The operation culminated in a five-hour-long gunfight, during which five cadres belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were killed.
“The slain terrorists were identified as Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Mushtaq Ahmad Yatoo, Irfan Yaqoob, Adil Hajam, and Yasir Javed—all residents of Kulgam district,” police said.
It said Farooq Ahmad Bhat alias Nali, the oldest among them, had been active since 2015 and was a key commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. He had 37 FIRs registered against him.
Mushtaq Ahmad Yatoo had joined the Hizbul Mujahideen cadre in 2020 and according to police was also deeply entrenched in terrorist operations.
Brigadier Anirudh Chauhan, Commander of 2 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, while addressing the press after the gun-battle, said: “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.
During the encounter, two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries and were promptly evacuated to Army’s 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar. Both are reported to be in stable condition.
According to Javed Iqbal Matoo, DIG South Kashmir, 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,” Matoo said during a press briefing. (With additional inputs from KNO)
