Top HM commander, three other militants killed in encounters in Pulwama

Srinagar, (thestates.news) In a major success, security forces on Wednesday killed most wanted top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo besides three other militants in two separate encounters which ensued after security forces launched Cordon and Search Operations  in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.
Official sources said a CASO was launched at Beighpora in Awantipur following credible inputs about presence of militants last night. “Contact was established with militants on Wednesday morning,” he said, adding a top militant commander was trapped in the area.
Two militant have been killed in the encounter. “One of the slain militants has been identified as Riyaz Naikoo, operational commander of HM, the longest surviving militant since 2012” sources said.
Naikoo, who became a de facto chief of HM after the death of Burhan Wani, the poster boy of militancy in the Valley in July 2016, was carrying a reward of Rs 12 lakh. The top commander, who has been releasing audio clips on social media, was on the run from last eight years.
Former Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid said the elimination of Naikoo in a joint operation is a big success for J&K police and security forces. “He was responsible for kidnapping and killing of multiple policemen. Well done boys,” Vaid said.
An Army official said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at Sharsali village in Awantipora in Pulwama last night.
He said when security forces were sealing a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons. “Two militants were killed in the exchange of fire,” he said, adding the operation was still going on.
Meanwhile, mobile internet services of all cellular companies, including BSNL, were suspended on Wednesday for security reasons in Kashmir valley, where curfew has been imposed in many areas including downtown Srinagar.(uni)