Burhan’s successor Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat killed in encounter

Srinagar: What could be considered as a big victory for Indian forces in Kashmir, Hizbul Commander Sabzar Bhat was killed in an TRAL encounter. Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani was killed last year, which stoked the Kashmir unrest. Sabzar was the successor of Burhan on whom a prize money of 10 Lakh rs was announced. Sabzar Bhat joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2010 and was the brain behind internet Jihad. The encounter is still underway. The official confirmation of Sabzar’s death is awaited.

After army neutralized Sabzar the stone pelting incidence was reported from five locations in Kashmir. Security forces fired pellets and burst teargas shells to disperse demonstrators outside the village, where encounter was going on as one militant was still firing. According to the armed forces, militants attacked a security force patrol party at village Samu, Tral, Pulwama in south Kashmir last night. Security forces also retaliated ensuing an encounter. Additional security forces were immediately rushed and entire area and nearby villages were sealed to foil any attempt by militants to escape. Intermittent firing continued throughout the night, they said adding security forces launched a major offensive with the first light this morning.

However, militants hiding there again opened fire, they said adding a house reportedly suffered damage in the encounter. They said Sabzar Bhat, resident of Ratsun, Tral, who replaced Burhan Wani after his death in 2016 encounter, and another militant were killed. There could be one or two militant in the area, they said adding the operation was going on when the reports last came in. Hundreds of people, mostly youths, took to streets in village around the encounter site, pelting stones on security forces. Security forces fired pellets and also burst teargas shells to prevent people from entering the Samu village, they said adding clashes also continued when reports were last received. (UNI)