Two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, including a Pakistani national, were killed and a policeman martyred in a prolonged encounter at Haina-Hafoo village cluster in south Kashmir’s Tral pocket on Sunday. At least six security officials, including a Major of Rashtriya Rifles, were wounded during the prolonged gunfight that began on Saturday afternoon.
Clashes erupted in the area during and after the encounter even as a group of stone-throwers overpowered a paramilitary official and snatched his service rifles. One of the slain terrorist was a close aide of Hizbul Mujahideen’s top-ranking commander Burhan Wani, whose encounter death on July 8, 2016 triggered a massive unrest in Kashmir Valley that continued for five months.
Sources said that local police, CRPF and counterinsurgency Rashtriya rifles troops cordoned off Haina-Nazneenpora village on Saturday following information that terrorists were hiding there. The security forces zeroed in on a residential house where terrorists were stationed. It was followed by intermittent exchange of fire. The operation continued throughout the night.
On Sunday morning, the security forces launched final assault to destroy the hideout. Sources said that while laying improvised explosive devices, Army Major R Reshi came under fire. He was hit in his face and was immediately airlifted to base hospital in Srinagar, where his condition is stable.
Before the hideout was blasted off, terrorists fired upon police constable Manzoor Ahmad Naik, resulting in his death on the spot. Several other policemen have received injuries in the gun-battle.
Sources said at least two Hizbul terrorists Aaqib Ahmad Bhat, a local resident, and Saifullah, alias Osama, a suspected Pakistani national, were killed in the encounter. Aaqib, known as Aaqib Molvi in the area, was associated with HM outfit for the past three years and has been an aide of slain commander Burhan Wani.
Sources in the area told The Pioneer that the entire region was tense and hundreds of villagers, mostly youngsters were seen marching towards the encounter area. Police and paramilitaries have been deployed in strength in the area to prevent massive assemblage.
On Saturday evening while the gunfight was raging, a group of protesters snatched an INSAS rifle from one CRPF personnel at Goal Masjid area in the Tral town, which remain at the center stage of the recent public uprising in Kashmir triggered by Burhan Wani’s killing.