Srinagar: A top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander, who was apprehended on Tuesday during a naka checking, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Handwara in north Kashmir district of Kupwara on Wednesday, a police spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, has termed the killing of Mehraj-ud-din alias Ubaid – who is one of the oldest and top HM commanders – as ‘a big success.’
The spokesperson said that police along with Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was conducting a routine naka at Watyen Handwara on Tuesday to enforce COVID appropriate behaviour. “During checking, one pedestrian was behaving in a very suspicious manner, who was tactfully apprehended by the joint naka party,” he said.
He said during his search, one grenade was recovered from his possession, adding that post which the accused was immediately taken into custody. “The accused was identified as Mehraj-ud-din Halwai alias Ubaid, a resident of Khushal Mattoo in Sopore, an active HM commander,” he said.
He said during further questioning, on his disclosure multiple Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) were launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army, CRPF and SSB in Handwara. “The militant gave away the location of a hideout where he had kept his arms and ammunition at Pazipora Renan in Kralgund Handwara,” he said.
Upon reaching the disclosed hideout location, he said the militant picked up his hidden AK-47 rifle and started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which led to an encounter. “In the ensuing encounter the militant was killed,” he said.
