Hizbul chief Saifullah killed in Srinagar encounter

In a major success against terrorism in Kashmir Valley, police and security forces on Sunday killed Hizbul Mujahideen’s operational commander Saifullah Mir in a gunfight in Srinagar, officials said. His associate was arrested alive in the encounter in the Rangreth area.

Saifullah, who had taken command of the outfit after the killing of Riyaz Naikoo in May this year, was one of the most-wanted terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and was involved in several attacks on the security forces, an official said. Saifullah had topped the list of top 10 most-wanted terrorists in Kashmir that was recently prepared by security agencies.

“Saifullah who was the number one commander of Hizbul Mujahideen has been killed in the encounter. It was a very successful operation,” Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbag Singh told news agency ANI.

“This is a huge success for the police and security forces. This is not a small achievement,” senior police officer Vijay Kumar told reporters at the encounter site. He said they had received information that Saifullah had come to Srinagar from south Kashmir and was hiding in a house. “So the security forces cordoned off the area and an operation was launched. In the exchange of firing, one militant was killed. According to our source, we are 95 per cent sure he is Saifullah. We are retrieving the body and it will be identified,” Kumar added.

Asked whether any other terrorist was caught alive from the encounter site, he said a suspect has been taken into custody and is being questioned.

Earlier, reports said that a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Srinagar’s Rangreth. Two-three terrorists were believed to be holed up in the area.

As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon the security forces, triggering off a gunfight. In the ensuing encounter, Saifullah was gunned down while one of his associates was captured alive.

Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, was also recovered from the encounter site.

Saifullah Mir alias Ghazi Haider alias Doctor Sahab had joined Hizbul Mujahideen in October 2014 and hails from Malangpora in Pulwama. He was recruited by Riyaz Naikoo and given the name Ghazi Haider. He took over the leadership of Hizbul Mujahideen after Riyaz Naikoo was killed in an encounter in May this year.