Srinagar: Hizbul Mujahideen chief Saifullah Mir, one of the most wanted local militant commanders, was killed in an encounter in Rangreth area, on the outskirts of Srinagar, on Sunday.
One of the top terrorist’s associates has been taken into custody and is being interrogated, PTI reported quoting police officials.
It’s a serious blow to ‘homegrown’ militancy in the Kashmir Valley, as Saifullah was involved in multiple attacks on Indian security forces.
“This is a huge success for the police and security forces. This is not a small achievement,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar told reporters at the encounter site.
Saifullah took charge of the outfit after Riyaz Naikoo was killed in May this year.
Kumar said they had received information that Saifullah had come here 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 Dr Saifullah. We are retrieving the body and it will be identified,” Kumar was quoted as saying.
