NEW DELHI / SRINAGAR: Islamic State terror group emir in Jammu & Kashmir Abu Yahya was among three terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag early on Monday.
IS commander, Eisa Fazili aka Abu Yahya al Istashadi, was a top target for security forces in the last six months. The other two have been identified as Syed Owais Shafi alias Abu Barra al Kashmiri and Sultan al Hyderabadi alias Abu Zarr al Hindi.
The trio was earlier affiliated to groups like the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen but had pledged allegiance to Islamic State (ISJK) last year. They are part of a small but significant number of terrorists who have left groups like HM, Lashkar or Jaish to declare their allegiance to IS. The group sees Hurriyat as “compromised” politicians and its online propagation is resulting in a steady stream of recruits.
IS confirmed their “martyrdom” on its Telegram channels on Monday. “Blessed night for bless brothers.. Brother Abu Yahya, Abu Barra and Abu Zarr got what they desired.. Blessed Shahdah (inshallah)... Yesterday in an encounter with the Mishrik Indian Army and apostate Kashmiri Police at Islamabad district of Indian Kshmir,” the message said.
In December, pro-IS media channel al-Qaraar had released a video identifying Abu Yahya as the “emir of Kshmir”.
