Zakir Musa's deputy, 5 other terrorists killed in Kashmir Valley

Al Qaeda-affiliate Ansar Gazwat ul Hind suffered a major blow after security forces killed six of its local cadres, including Zakir Musa's second-in-command, in a fierce encounter at Burhan Wani's hometown of Tral in South Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Police said that based on a credible input about the presence of terrorists in Arampora area, a cordon and search operation was launched by security forces on Saturday morning.

"They opened fire while searches were going on. It was retaliated, leading to a gunfight. In the ensuing encounter, six terrorists were neutralised and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter", said a police spokesman.

The killed terrorists have been identified as Soliha Mohammad Akhoon, Faisal, Nadeem Ahmad Sofi, Rasiq Mir, Rouf and Umar, all hailing from different villages of the Tral area.

Operating since 2015, Soliha was deputy chief commander of Al Qaeda affiliate Ansar Gazwat ul Hind. Sources said he was only second to Zakir Musa, who is one of the most wanted commanders in Jammu and Kashmir.

When Zakir Musa left Hizbul Mujahideen in May 2017 and called for the caliphate and enforcing Sharia, Soliha too left with him and joined Al Qaeda affiliate Ansar Gazwat ul Hind. Soliha later rose through the ranks and eventually became only second to Zakir Musa.

"Soliha had a long history of terror crimes since 2015 and was involved in several terror attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in the area", said the police spokesman. Rasiq was another top commander who had a long history of terror crime records since last five years. Several terror cases were registered against him including a case under section 13, 18, 18E, 20 Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Nadeem and Faisal had joined Zakir Musa in April and May this year respectively while Rouf and Umar had joined Ansar Gazwat ul Hind in the first week of November. "Nadeem and Umar were involved in several terror crimes.

Rouf and Faisal were involved in planning and executing many terror attacks in the area", said the police spokesman.

With the killing of six top terrorists of Al Qaeda affiliate Ansar Gazwat ul Hind, Zakir Musa had been left with only four to five men in his outfit. Sources said Musa's strength has been reduced to a single digit number as he continues to remain evasive.

Police said arms and ammunition including rifles were recovered from the site of encounter. Police said all these materials have been taken in the case records for further investigation and probe their complicity in other terror cases.

"Citizens are once again requested not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosives materials", the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the army paid befitting tributes to two of its comrades who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on the Line of Control in Keran sector of Kupwara district on Friday.

Hailing from Nepal, Subedar Gamar Bahadur Thapa and Subedar Raman Thapa sustained bullet injuries during unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Keran sector of Kupwara district. They were provided immediate first aid and were evacuated to 92 Base Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries.