Security forces on Tuesday gunned down one of Kashmir’s top militant commanders Abdul Qayoom Najar in Uri. It was a major success for the security forces as Najar was wanted for his alleged involvement in more than 50 killings, including that of policemen in Hygam area of Sopore, in the past 17 years.
Believed to be one of the oldest militants in the valley, Najar was gunned down when he was attempting to infiltrate into the Indian side from Pakistan, reported Greater Kashmir.
Baramulla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Imtiyaz Hussain said,
Najar reportedly carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
Mobile internet services were suspended in Baramulla district following Najar's death, reported Greater Kashmir.
The authorities reportedly said that this was done to prevent any rumour-mongering by "anti-social elements".
Najar, a resident of Sopore township, was "one of the most dreaded terrorists" in Kashmir in the recent times, the SSP added.
"So, it is a big success, big achievement, for all of us especially because had he been alive and had he successfully infiltrated into this side, it would have been a big problem for us. Neutralising him would have been very difficult as he was already heading a huge network in Sopore, Palhallan, Pattan, Handwara areas of Bandipora and Baramulla. We should be thankful to our Army," the SSP said.
He said Najar had joined militancy with the killing of Hizb commander Abdul Majid Dar in 2003.
The officer said Najar was called to the base camp in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir by his handlers in 2015 after he fell out with the Hizb and separatist leaderships.
Hussain added that Najar was sent back to Kashmir after the killings of the outfit's north Kashmir commander Parvez Wani and south Kashmir commander Yasin Yatto.
Najar was tasked with reviving the outfit in Kashmir in the wake of elimination of top militants, he said.
"He was one of the smartest militants I have known in my 18 years of service. Very very smart, extremely smart, he would not trust anybody, not even his wife or his brother," the police officer added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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