The Longest Surviving Terrorist Commander In J&k Is Killed In An Attempt To Disrupt The Amarnath Yatra

In a four-hour encounter in the Batkoot forests, 15 kilometres south of Pahalgam, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Army foiled another attempt to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra in June, killing Mohammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Moulvi, Hizbul Mujahideen commander and one of Kashmir’s longest-surviving militants, and his two associates.

After allegations of militant presence in the Batkoot-Sirchin forests, a large-scale operation was begun in south Kashmir, according to details. According to officials, the other two extremists will be discovered soon.

Khan joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2013 and rose through the ranks after the assassination of many high-ranking militants, including Burhan Wani. Following the assassination of then-HM chief Dr. Saifullah in 2020, Khan, Zubair Wani, and Farooq Ahmad Bhat alias Nalli were expected to take his position.

The Hizbul, on the other hand, has not named its Kashmir operations chief, leaving security forces guessing.

Bhat is from Kulgam’s Yaripora village, whereas Zubair Wani is from Kokernag’s Dehruna. Bhat joined the group in 2015 and is one of Kashmir’s most seasoned terrorists. He hails from a wealthy and well-educated apple-trading family.

Zubair Wani was a sociology research researcher before turning to militancy. According to police sources, he joined militancy in 2018 and came from a disadvantaged family. He has three sisters and a younger brother, and his father is a labourer.

Bhat is from Kulgam’s Yaripora village, whereas Zubair Wani is from Kokernag’s Dehruna. Bhat joined the group in 2015 and is one of Kashmir’s most seasoned terrorists. He hails from a wealthy and well-educated apple-trading family.

Zubair Wani was a sociology research researcher before turning to militancy. According to police sources, he joined militancy in 2018 and came from a disadvantaged family. He has three sisters and a younger brother, and his father is a labourer.

Khan had prior experience managing organisational structure and establishing an underground network. A police official told News 18 that his death would be a major setback for the organisation.

Khan was a wanted militant in the Valley, according to authorities, and was on the top ten list of all outfits.

In an engagement in North Kashmir a few weeks ago, the police and army murdered Mohammad Yusuf Kantroo, a top Lashkar militant.

Khan, like Kantroo, was claimed to have played a key role in the organization’s recruitment of locals. Khan led stone-throwing protests before joining militants, according to authorities.

Meanwhile, despite the encounter, the flow of tourists in Pahalgam continued unabated. Earlier, forces and police uncovered an underground tunnel in Jammu and foiled a major plot to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra.

Security arrangements have already been finalised for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra and the Jammu and Kashmir Police has adopted a systematic strategy in collaboration with the Army and other security agencies.

During a cordon and search operation in the Kokernag region of Anantnag on Thursday, a Hizbul militant who had been active since 2017 was apprehended.

An exceptional three-tier security system has been set up to protect all pilgrims during the yatra. The arrangements are being overseen by the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the IGP of Jammu and Kashmir.