Islam, 29, was chief commander of the Pakistan-based Al Badr outfit, and was considered to be among the most wanted terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Security forces have gunned down Zeenat-ul-Islam, a top terror commander who has worked with several terror outfits in the Kashmir Valley as an improvised explosive device (IED) expert. Islam was killed along with his aide on Sunday in Kathpora village in south Kashmir's Kulgam district.
Islam, 29, was chief commander of the Pakistan-based Al Badr outfit, and was considered to be among the most wanted terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. A resident of Sugan in south Kashmir's Shopian district, Islam was part of the 12 most wanted list released by the Indian Army on May 30, 2017.
According to police records, Islam has had a history of crime going back to 2006, when he was affiliated with Al Badr and was arrested. Upon his release, however, he again took to terror in 2015.
Sources said he was an over-ground worker (OGW) who first became active in Kupwara. When he was arrested, the security forces initially mistook him for a Pakistani, but realised he was a local upon questioning him.
In 2015, he joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba, before switching sides a year later to join the Hizbul Mujahideen. He worked as a key recruiter for the group in Shopian. Police said he recently joined Al Badr and also was eventually made chief of the outfit. An A++ category militant, he carried a Rs 12.5 lakh bounty on his head.
Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesperson at Srinagar, said it was a joint operation by the Army, police and the CRPF that led to the two terrorists being killed. "As per policy, the terrorists were given an opportunity to surrender. But when they continued to fire, they were eliminated in an ensuing gunfight. The two have been identified as Zeenat-ul-Islam and Shakeel Ahmad Dar. Weapons and war-like stores were recovered," said Colonel Kalia, adding that Dar, Zeenat's aide, was also involved in several terror-related crimes.
Massive clashes took place after news of the two commanders' death filtered through. Security forces had to use force to disperse the mob. Some civilians reportedly suffered injuries as well.
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