Tahir Ahmad Bhat, another Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist belonging to Pulwama was neutralized by Indian security forces in Khotra village of Doda district on Sunday (May 17). An Indian Army personnel who came under heavy firing from the terrorists, succumbed to injuries.
Tahir is said to be an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) expert and has been operating in the belt for the past three years.
The killing of Tahir comes within a fortnight of eliminating another most wanted and top terrorist of the Hizbul Mujahideen – Riyaz Naikoo. He was a close aide of Haroon Abbas, another Hizbul terrorist who was neutralized earlier this year.
Tahir is said to have conspired in carrying out an attack on CRPF convoy near Banihal after the Pulwama bombing which did not succeed. His name also figured in the killing of RSS leader Chanderkant Sharma and his PSO in Kishtwar, Jammu IG Mukesh Singh said.
An AK rifle and large number of arms and ammunitions were recovered from the encounter site.
Speaking about the operation, the IG said that security forces cordoned off the area throughout the night to avoid collateral damage. Troops started inching towards the place where terrorists were holed up at the break of dawn. The encounter lasted for 5 hours with the elimination of the dreaded terrorist.
People of the area rejoiced over the slain of the terrorist who was indulging in recruiting locals into the Hizb.