Kulgam Gunfight: Top Hizb Commander among 5 local terrorists killed

Srinagar, Dec 19: Longest surviving commander of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist outfit was among five terrorists killed during a gunfight with security forces in Kader area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir on Thursday. Two soldiers were also injured in the operation, officials said.
Police identified the slain Hizbul commander as Farooq Ahmed Bhat, alias Farooq Nali, a resident of Deschen Yemrich in Kulgam. He was involved in civilian, migrant workers’ killings, police officials said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, V.K. Birdhi, stated that Nali, who was among the longest-surviving terrorists in the “A++” category, was one of the five killed in the operation.
According to police records, Farooq Nali, in his early 40s, had been active since 2015. Police officials revealed that after the killing of Hizb operational commander Saifullah in a 2020 gunbattle in Srinagar, Nali had taken over the command of the group.
The killing of Farooq Ahmed Bhat, alias Farooq Nali, is seen as a significant blow to the banned outfit. Nali, a key accused in multiple cases, including the targeted killing of migrant workers, had managed to evade capture for years.
A senior police officer said that Farooq Nali was a central figure in orchestrating attacks on non-locals and civilians in South Kashmir, acting on directives from handlers across the border.
“His killing is a major blow to terrorists in the region and he was also behind the murder of Sarpanch Shabir Ahmad Mir in March 2022,” he said.
The official said Nali orchestrated the killing inside Mir’s home in Kulgam’s Adoora, swiftly executing the plan through his associates, who were later apprehended by the police.
Since joining terror ranks in 2015, Nali had been on the run. His home was raided by Jammu and Kashmir Police last year in connection with the killing of five non-local workers in 2019.
The official said that Farooq Nali was behind several terror attacks in the region and was known for repeatedly escaping encounters and avoiding traps set by security forces at various locations.
Nali’s house was raided by Police last year in connection with the killing of five non-local workers in 2019.
Meanwhile the anti-terror operation began early Thursday morning following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the Kader area.
As security forces established a cordon, the terrorists attempted to escape by opening fire. However, their escape was thwarted, leading to a fierce gunfight that lasted nearly two hours.
Later in the evening, a joint press conference of Police and Army was held at Wuzur Kulgam. Brigadier Anirudh Chauhan Commander 2 Sector RR of Indian Army along with police and other senior officials termed the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in Kulgam as a major setback for the group.
Commander 2 Sector RR Chauhan said that Farooq Ahmed Bhat was the most high-profile terrorist killed in the operation and masterminded numerous attacks across South Kashmir. He was accused of planning and executing strikes against security forces.
“Five terrorists including a senior commander were neutralized in an orchard during the exchange of fire. Two Army personnel sustained injuries in the encounter,” he added.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for South Kashmir, Javaid Iqbal, said that slain terrorist Bhat had 37 FIRs registered against him. His elimination is considered a significant achievement in the fight against Hizbul Mujahideen and a severe setback to the group.
The other terrorists killed in the encounter were identified as Adil Hussain, son of Ghulam Muhammad Hajam, a resident of Kandipora, Kulgam, active since 2020, Mushtaq Ahmad Itoo, son of Ghulam Hassan Itoo, a resident of Muhammad Pora, Kulgam, Yasir Javid Bhat, son of Javid Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Khanpora Yaripora, Kulgam and Muhammad Irfan Lone, son of Muhammad Yaqoob Lone, a resident of Hawoor, Kulgam.
“A substantial cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site, including five AK-47 rifles, four grenades, twelve magazines, and a large amount of cash and supplies. This highlights the terrorists’ preparation for prolonged engagements in the Valley,” police said.
Earlier, the Army had stated that the operation was a joint effort with the police, initiated after receiving credible intelligence about the militants’ location.
“On 19 Dec 24, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice at Kader, Kulgam. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate and heavy volume of fire. Own troops effectively retaliated,” the spokesman said.
It was the second major operation against Hizbul Mujahideen by security forces since July when four terrorists were killed in a fortified hideout concealed within a cupboard in Kulgam district.