June 04: Police and Security forces have neutralized a Commander of proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen in an anti-terrorist operation at Anantnag. Incriminating materials including arms/ammunition have been recovered from his possession.

Yesterday, at about 1915hrs, on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorist in Rishipora area of Anantnag, Police, Army (19RR) and CRPF launched a joint cordon & search operation in the said area. As the joint team was establishing the cordon around the suspected area, the hiding terrorist started indiscriminate firing upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter. In the initial exchange of fire, 03 army personnel & a civilian got injured. All the injured were immediately airlifted to 92 Base Hospital Srinagar for treatment & are stated to be stable.

In the ensuing encounter, the hiding terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Nisar Khanday (Commander of proscribed terror outfit HM) and active since year 2018.

As per police records, the killed terrorist is a categorized terrorist and was part of the groups involved in several terror cases including attacks on Police/SF and civilian atrocities. It is pertinent to mention that the killed terrorist was earlier arrested in year 2000 along with arms/ammunition and detained under PSA. Before joining terrorist ranks in year 2018, the killed terrorist was working as the terrorist associate of proscribed terror outfit HM. He has been involved in several killings of civilians and security forces besides mastermind in fresh recruitment of youth in terror rank.

IGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar congratulated the joint teams for carrying out the operation in professional manner and neutralising the wanted terrorist commander. He also appreciated the valour and dedication of injured personnel and prayed for their speedy recovery.

Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-47 rifle was recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.

In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any.```