Pahalgam: Top Hizb man among 3 militants killed

They termed the killing of one of the most wanted militant commanders “on the [Amarnath] yatra route” as a major success. “Ashraf Molvi along with two other terrorists killed.

South Kashmir gunfight, Jammu and kashmir, civilian dies, Kashmir news, India news, Indian express

Police sources said Shahid Gani succumbed at the hospital in Srinagar on Tuesday morning. (File)

A TOP Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander was among three militants killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmir on Friday.

Police said Mohammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Molvi, one of the oldest surviving militant in the Valley, and two of his associates were killed Friday morning in the forests of south Kashmir’s famous tourist destination of Pahalgam.

They termed the killing of one of the most wanted militant commanders “on the [Amarnath] yatra route” as a major success. “Ashraf Molvi along with two other terrorists killed. Successful operation on yatra route is a major success,” J&K Police said in a tweet, quoting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

A resident of Kokernag in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Khan’s name was on the list of the 10 most-wanted militant commanders released by the J&K police last year. He was categorised as A++ militant in police records.

Khan, who police sources said was in late 40s, joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2013 and was active in south Kashmir for nine years. Sources said apart from being involved in militant attacks, he was also instrumental in motivating local youth to join militant ranks.

The encounter ended in the afternoon with the killing of three militants. While police identified one of the slain militants as Khan, they are yet to ascertain the identities of the other two killed militants.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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