Five terrorists, including senior Hizbul Mujahideen commander Farooq Ahmad Bhat, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Kulgam district of South Kashmir. The operation, which began on Wednesday night, also left two soldiers injured.
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, also known as Nali, was an A++ category militant and one of the oldest surviving members of the Hizbul Mujahideen. His death is seen as a significant blow to the group, which has been attempting to rebuild its cadre in South Kashmir.
Details of the Encounter
The operation was launched in Kader village after intelligence inputs indicated the presence of terrorists. A joint team of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off the area, and the terrorists opened fire upon being challenged.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) Javid Iqbal confirmed that all five militants were neutralized. “The operation was clean, and the injured soldiers are stable and undergoing treatment,” he said.
Seized Weapons and Ammunition
Security forces recovered five AK-47 rifles, 20 magazines, two hand grenades, and other ammunition from the site.
Notorious Commander Eliminated
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, originally from Yaripora Kulgam, joined the Hizbul Mujahideen in 2015 and had been evading security forces for nearly a decade. He had 37 cases registered against him and was on the radar of security forces for the past two months.
“He was the operational chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen and a mastermind behind numerous attacks,” said Brigadier Anirudh Chauhan of the Rashtriya Rifles.
Ongoing Security Measures
Search operations are continuing in the area to ensure no further threats. Authorities have urged locals to stay away from the encounter site for safety reasons.
Broader Security Context
This year, security forces in Kashmir have killed 55 terrorists. Despite these successes, the region has witnessed the deaths of nine security personnel and 15 civilians in terror attacks.
The elimination of Bhat and his associates is seen as a major success in counterterrorism operations, weakening the capabilities of Hizbul Mujahideen in South Kashmir.
Sources By Agencies
