SRINAGAR: Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who succeeded Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir today. Bhat was one of eight terrorists killed in separate operations today. While two of the terrorists killed – including Bhat – were holed up in a building in Pulwama district’s Tral sector, six others were killed by the Indian Army as it successfully blocked an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control or LoC in Rampur sector in Baramulla district.
Huge protests broke out in the valley as news of the death, seen as a major setback to the terrorist network, spread. Protesters clashed with law enforcement in Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Tral and Srinagar leaving dozens of people injured. Mobile internet services that were briefly restored this morning were snapped again. Shops, schools and colleges in many parts of the state closed down.
Violent protests had broken out last year in July after Wani was killed, leaving more than 100 people dead and over 12,000 injured.
The operation in Tral started out after terrorists attacked an army patrol at Saimu village last evening. There was a heavy exchange of fire this morning after the terrorists changed their hideout because the house they were originally hiding in was set on fire by security forces. Two terrorists including Sabzar Ahmad Bhat were killed. Soon after the encounter was over hundreds of villagers rushed to Saimu village and clashed with the security forces.
The second operation – in Rampur sector – where six terrorists were killed, was carried out after alert soldiers noticed suspicious movement along the LoC in the early hours of the morning. “The infiltration attempt has been stopped successfully,” an army official confirmed.
Rampur sector is next to the Uri sector where the Indian Army on Friday foiled an attack by Pakistan’s Border Action Team or BAT. Army officers told that the intruders were looking to kill and behead Indian soldiers – as they have done in the past – or target patrols or posts located along the Line of Control.
