Burhan’s close aide killed in encounter

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 27

After top militant Burhan Wani’s killing in July last year, security forces today tasted their first major success when they gunned down his close aide and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat along with one of his associates in south Kashmir’s Tral area of Pulwama district. 

The killing of Sabzar (27), alias Sahbeh Don, has ignited fresh tension in the Valley. 

A civilian was also killed in the “crossfire”.

The encounter took place at Saimoh village, some 40 km from Srinagar, when a joint operation was launched last evening by the J&K Police, Army’s 42 Rashtriya Rifles battalion and the CRPF’s 180 battalion following a specific input about the presence of three militants.

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As the forces were moving towards the village, the hiding militants fired at them, triggering a brief gunfight. The security forces maintained a tight cordon around the village the entire night and resumed the operation against the militants hiding in a house early in the morning.

“A fierce gunfight ensued as the forces approached the suspected house, which left Sabzar and Faizan Muzzaffar dead,” a police officer said. 

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J&K Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid termed the killing of the militant commander as a “major success” for the security forces.

The civilian who was killed has been identified as Aqib Ahmed of Tral. While the locals said he died in “firing by forces” while they were trying to march towards the gunfight site, the police said he died in the “crossfire”. There are reports that a militant who was trapped may have managed to escape.

As the news about the militant commander’s death spread, an instant shutdown was observed and there were clashes in many parts of the Valley. At several places, the forces had to use teargas and fire into the air to disperse stone-throwing crowds. The clashes left several people injured. 

The killing of Burhan, a resident of Tral, had led to a five-month-long unrest that left nearly 90 persons dead and thousands injured.

Meanwhile, the separatists have called for a shutdown on Sunday and Monday to protest the killing of militants and civilians. They have also called for a march to Tral on May 30. 

Meanwhile, curfew will be imposed in seven police station areas of Srinagar tomorrow to prevent the spread of violent protests.

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