Most wanted Hizbul terrorist Riyaz Naikoo killed by security forces

May 6: Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo, Kashmir’s most wanted terrorist wasgunned down along with his associate during an encounter in in his south Kashmir’s village on Wednesday. With this, the security forces also avenged the deaths of five security men recently killed in Kupwara district on May 3. Naikoo, Kashmir`s most wanted terrorist and Hizbul chief was trapped late on Tuesday in his native Beighpora village in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama district.

According to officials, the operation to eliminate Naikoo was carried out with pinpoint precision without any collateral damage. After receiving credible information that the top Hizbul Mujahideen commander had come to visit his home in Beighpora village, the joint operation by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police began. The security forces also sealed all entry and exit points of the village. A gun battle erupted early on Wednesday. He had been trapped and there was no way to escape.

Naikoo carried a reward of Rs 12 lakh on his head. Naikoo had been masterminding the killings of local policemen to put pressure on them not to engage in anti-militancy operations.