Who Was Riyaz Naikoo, The Hizbul Commander Killed In Kashmir Encounter; How Was He Trapped By Forces

Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Riyaz Naikoo Killed: Naikoo was categorized as A++” militant and was in the most wanted list of terrorists in Kashmir for several years now

Riyaz Naikoo dead: Joint troops recovered bodies of 2 terrorists, among them one has been identified as Hizbul Commander Riyaz Naikoo.

New Delhi: In a major victory to security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, the Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo was killed during an anti-terrorism operation today, days after five security personnel were martyred in Jammu and Kashmir' Handwara operation. As per an update by the Central Reserve Police Force, joint troops recovered bodies of 2 terrorists, among them one was identified as Hizbul Commander Riyaz Naikoo. Search is still underway amid heavy stone pelting. Who was Riyaz Naikoo? Here are some things to know about the wanted Hizbul commander:

• Naikoo was categorized as A++” militant and was in the most wanted list of terrorists in Kashmir for several years now.
• He also had a reward of Rs 12 lakh over his head.
• Riyaz Naikoo took over as the commander of Hizbul Mujahideen after the outfit's poster boy and commander Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Kokarnag area in Anantnag district on July 8, 2016.
• Before joining the militant ranks, Naikoo worked as a mathematics teacher at a local school. He was known to have passion for painting roses before he picked up the gun at the age of 33.
• Security forces hold Naikoo responsible for holding the Hizbul together after its possible disintegration when Zakir Musa broke away from the Hizbul ranks to form his own splinter group.

How was he trapped? As per a report by IANS, was trapped late on Tuesday in his native Beighpora village in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. And today the Hizbul Mujahideen commander and his associate were killed in a gunfight with security forces.   Reports say that another militant was killed in a separate operation in Sharshali village of Khrew area in Pulwama district which is away from Naikoo's encounter spot. The report said that the forces launched an overnight operation to trap Naikoo on Tuesday evening when a massive search operation was launched in the native Beighpora village of Naikoo near the Awantipora town of Pulwama district. The report says that the top Hizbul Mujahideen commander had come to visit his home in Beighpora village and the joint team of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police, moved in quickly to seal all entry and exit points of the village. Security forces are vigilant to avoid any large gatherings during the funeral. According to reports the day of Wani’s funeral a large crowd comprising more than 2,00,000 people had gathered to show their solidarity.