Hizbul’s most wanted Tiger killed in Kashmir

Hizbul Mujahideen on Monday received a major jolt as security forces shot dead two terrorists, including top a commander who was on the list of most wanted terrorist — Sameer Ahmed Bhat, alias Sameer Tiger. The two were gunned down in fierce gunfight in Drabgam village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

A civilian too was killed when clashes erupted in the area as scores of people held protests and attempted to help terrorists break the cordon. Two Army soldiers were injured in the gunfight.

Sources said on a specific input, security forces cordoned off Drabgam village on Monday morning where Tiger was hiding along with his bodyguard Aqib Wani. Tiger had been active in the area for several years and security forces claim that he was involved in a number of killings, including last week’s fatal assault on BJP worker Ghulam Nabi Patel. During the initial bout of firing, two soldiers, including an officer, were injured.

Security forces described Tiger’s killing as a major success against Hizbul Mujahideen.

Soon after the encounter triggered off, youths poured onto streets and began marching towards the encounter site. However, despite the resistance from protesters, the security forces continued the operation until both the terrorists were killed. The police and paramilitary forces used tear smoke shells, pellet guns and fired some aerial shots to disperse the protesters.

Huge deployment of police and other security personnel was made to maintain law and order in the South Kashmir belt and other neighbouring areas.

Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid, tweeted, “In Pulwama encounter, in a joint operation two HeM terrorists killed, including top commander Tiger, who was involved in number of civilian killings. It should bring peace in the area.”

The internet services in the Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts were snapped or reduced to minimum frequency as a precautionary security measure. The train services between Srinagar and Banihal were also stopped. The Kashmir University postponed examinations scheduled for May 1 in the wake of emerging situation.

The joint resistance leadership comprising senior separatists Syed Ali Geelai, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik called for a day-long shutdown on Tuesday against the civilian casualties during encounters. They blamed the security forces of using unbridled force to quell public uprising.