Burhan’s successor Sabzar, Civilian among 9 killed in 2 separate encounters in Kashmir

Srinagar/May,26: Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who succeeded Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, and a civilian were among nine killed in two separate encounters with government forces in Kashmir valley on Saturday. Director General Police Dr S P Vaid has termed the killing of Sabzar Bhat a big achievement for police and government forces combating militancy in the state and has claimed that situation is Kashmir is under control.
Bhat was among eight militants killed in two separate gunfights in north and south Kashmir. A civilian was also killed after forces opened fire on people marching towards the encounter site in Saimoh village of Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Six militants were killed after army claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid in Rampur sector of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Two militants, including Sabzar Bhat – a lieutenant of slain Hizb commander Burhan Wani killed on July 8 last year – and Faizan were killed in the encounter in Saimoh Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Sabzar according to police sources was the back bone of the militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen in South Kashmir. He was the successor of popular militant commander Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter in South Kashmir on July 8 last year that put Valley on boil.
Police sources said that besides the killing of Sabzar, another militant Faizan Ahmed was killed in the gunfight. Faizan according to reports was a new recruit.
Sabzar, a resident of Rathsuna was a close confidant of Burhan Wani who carried a reward of Rs10 lakh.
Sabzar along with his associate Faizan Ahmed were trapped in a house. During the gun fight, three houses of three brothers were damaged while two of them gutted in fire.
A police spokesperson said that two HM militants including a top commander were killed in a joint operation of police and security forces.
“Friday evening militants fired upon patrolling party of 42-RR at Hurdimir, Soimoh Tral. The fire was retaliated and the militants took shelter in the nearby houses. Subsequently, a cordon and search operation was launched by the joint team of Awantipora police, 42 RR and 180- BN CRPF. The militants hiding in the houses again opened fire on the joint team, triggering an encounter.”
“In this encounter two HM militants identified as Faizan Muzaffar and Subzar Ahmad Bhat were killed.
During the cross firing one more person was injured. He was rushed to the Tral hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. His identity is being ascertained. Arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site,” the spokesperson said.
Reports said that massive clashes broke out in the town while thousands of people assembled on the roads. Amid pro-freedom slogans, protesters resorted to intense stone-pelting at Rathsuna, Hardumir, Buchoo areas of the town. The clashes according to reports left scores of people injured who were shifted to hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses saidt at least four civilians suffered bullet injuries near the site of encounter. Witnesses said that forces opened fire while leaving from the site of the encounter in Saimoh village.
One of them, identified as Molvi Aqib Ahmad of Khanqah Tral, succumbed at Sub-district Hospital Tral. He had received a bullet in his forehead.
Two others were shifted to SMHS and Bone and Joints Hospital Barzulla for treatment.
Reports said that the movement of people was restricted and thousands of people were barred from reaching native village of militant commander. Witnesses said that thousands of people rushed to Ruthsana Tral in vehicles from different parts of Kashmir.
Witnesses said that thousands of people participated in the last rites of slain militant Faizan Ahmed. Muhammad Yasin Malik, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman also participated in the funeral prayers of the slain militant. Local sources said that last rites of militant commander Sabzar Ahmed will be performed on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir Police Chief SP Vaid said that police have been closely monitoring the situation in Kashmir.
“All militants have been killed and situation is under control“ said, DGP SP Vaid. He further said, “There are some minor stone pelting incidents in some areas overall situation is under control.”
DGP SP Vaid said, “We are monitoring situation very closely post Sabzar’s killing.”
“I congratulate our police and army as they carried out this mission successfully. It is a big achievement for us.” said DGP SP Vaid.
Commenting on the overall situation, a police spokesman said that stone pelting incidents were reported from about two dozen places from different areas of the Kashmir valley.
“The gatherings of miscreants pelted stones on police establishments and forces camps. They also pelted stones on the moving vehicles on the busy roads and in the Chowks.”
“Police and security forces rushed to tackle these mobs. They were also pelted upon in which 25 police and security forces personnel were injured. The police and security forces personnel showed utmost restraint in tacking these unruly mobs. During these incidents 12 miscreants were also injured.”
Militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen has paid rich tribute to the militant commander Sabzar Ahmed and his associate Faizan Ahmed who were killed in a gunfight in Saimouh hamlet of South Kashmir’s Tral town on Saturday afternoon.
Hizbul Mujhadeen Operational Spokesperson Burhanuddin told local news gathering agency CNS over phone that Hizb Chief Syed Salahuddin, Deputy Chief Saifullah Khalid and Operational Field Commander Mehmood Ghaznavi while paying tribute to Sabzar Ahmed said that he was a true soldier whose death has united the whole nation.
“Sabzar was a companion of Burhan Wani who sacrificed his life for a sacred Cause. He was loyal to Burhan and his nation. His every drop of blood will produce a Sabzar in Kashmir,” he said.
Meanwhile Chief Lashkar Taiba Mehmood Shah in a statement issued to a local news gathering agency while paying tribute to the Militant Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Sabzaar Ahmed, and Faizan said “Martyrdoms of People and Freedom Fighters against Illegal Indian occupation are fIrmly Committed. Today, The entire Kashmiri Nation is in the Battlefield for its Right of Freedom. Young and Old, Elder and Small, Boys and Girls are struggling for Freedom from India. This is an examplary Coalition due to which India have been out of mind. It is routine to be damaged Buildings, tourchering and killing the innocent people in the name of Search Operation. The international community remains silent. UN is deprived from implementing its own Resolutions. Due to all these Brutalities, Youngsters are to be forced to raise Weapons.. At this time, Power is in the hand of Narendra Modi who is a black spot on the name of Humanity, he observed Divalis by Killing Innocents Muslims. By showing spirit of Unity, we are to adopt the way of our Militants because it is the way of Honour and Freedom. Can get rid of Slavery by adopting this way. By expressing sympathy with the Militant Families and victims of Indian Firing He said We are with them in this Grief Situation.We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured”.