Poster boy of Kashmir militancy killed

In a major setback to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit, its most wanted commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces in south Kashmir’s in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Friday evening.

The poster boy of new wave of militancy in Kashmir, 21-year Burhan was killed alongwith his two other associates in Bumdoora village of Kokernag, 82 kms here.

Sources said the encounter began when militants fired at a joint team of the police and Army’s 19 Rashtriya Rifles, who had launched a search operation in the area after they received intelligence reports of militants hiding in the area.

The two other slain militants have been identified as Sartaj Ahmad Sheikh and Bashir Lashakri, both locals.

While confirming the death of Burhan, J&K Director General Police K Rajendra said his death was a big blow to the Hizbul. He said two other militants were also killed in the encounter.

Known as face of new generation militancy in Kashmir, Burhan is believed to have inspired several youngsters into joining the militancy. He joined the Hizbul in 2010 after the street protests, in which more than 100 people died in security forces firing, and went on to become a social media icon for the militant groups.

He never tried to conceal his or his followers’ identities, using it to recruit more youngsters. Burhan, who dropped out just days before his Class 10 board exams, seldom actively took part in militant strikes, but was the brain behind many.

The police had announced an Rs 10 lakh bounty on his head. But till now he had survived, defying all expectations and leaving a trail of stories behind him.

He used his jihadi videos where he persuaded young Kashmiris to join the “holy war” with the “promise of a fulfilled life hereafter”. He addressed in chaste Kashmiri the troubled Valley’s youth through video clips or audio messages. Known as a top motivator and recruiter in the Valley, Burhan was from the latest breed of educated youth to join militancy.

Last month, he released a video warning of attacks on separate colonies for Sainiks  and Kashmiri Pandits if they are set up in the Valley.