A security personnel takes position during an encounter with terrorists at Kadder in the Behibagh area of Kulgam district, J&K
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: In a major breakthrough for security forces, Farooq Ahmad Bhat alias Nali, a top commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed along with four other militants in a fierce gunfight in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday.
Nali, one of the longest-surviving and most-wanted militants in the Valley, had managed to escape from several encounters in the past.
A resident of Yaripora in Kulgam, he had been active in orchestrating several attacks on both civilians and security forces and was listed in J&K police’s 10 most wanted militants in Kashmir in 2021. While most of the militants in the list had been killed since then, Nali had survived till now.
Part of Burhan Wani group, he was categorised as A++ terrorist by security agencies and had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
Active since 2014, his death marks a significant setback for Hizbul in south Kashmir, with an entire operational squad, including its commander, eliminated.
The operation began early in the morning when the security forces, acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants, cordoned off Kadder village of Kulgam, officials said. As the forces closed in on the militants’ hideout, a heavy exchange of gunfire ensued, triggering a fierce battle that lasted for hours.
During the operation, five militants, including Nali, were killed, but the clash also resulted in injuries to two Army soldiers, who were later evacuated to a hospital.
Police sources said they had inputs about the presence of four to five militants in the village. The slain militants are believed to be locals affiliated with Hizbul.
Earlier Army's Chinar Corps in a post on X said: “OP KADER, Kulgam. Based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by the Indian Army and J-K police at Kader, Kulgam. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate and heavy volumes of fire. Own troops effectively retaliated. Operation is in progress.”
This is the second major gunfight in Kulgam this year. On July 8, six militants and two soldiers were killed in two separate gunfights in the district.