Srinagar, Nov 01 : The Director—General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbag Singh Sunday termed the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief operational commander for the valley, Dr Saifullah as a major success for the forces, stating that the Hizb outfit is once again leaderless.
Addressing a press conference at PCR Srinagar, DGP Singh said that today’s operation, which was jointly launched by the police, army and CRPF in Rangreth area of Srinagar, was a major success as the “dreaded” militant—Dr Saifullah was neutralized during the operation.
He said that many people would heave a sigh of relief as they had lost their loved ones and a shadow of grief and mourning descended on their families due to Dr Saifullah
DGP said that Dr, Saifullah was a top and longest surviving militant commander in the valley and he was involved in the killing of several innocent people.
“He was active since 2014 when Burhan Wani was leading the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit and that is why after the killing of Hizbul chief Reyaz Naikoo on May 06 this year, he was given the charge of chief operational commander in the valley. He was in the list of dreaded militants even before taking the command of Hizbul Mujahideen,” the DGP said.
“Dr Saifullah was also involved in the killing of various innocent people including three policemen, two truck drivers who were attacked after the abrogation of Article 370 in which a truck driver and a conductor were killed. He was also involved in the recent attack on a sarpanch, who got injured in Kulgam district,” the DGP said.
He said that he was also behind the killing of three BJP workers who were killed in a militant attack in Kulgam district this week and he was involved around a dozen cases of terrorism.
DGP said that Dr Saifullah was also involved in recent attacks on various security installations across the Kashmir valley.
“We were tracking his movement from the last two days and I would like to congratulate Anantnag police for tracking his movement and sharing the inputs with Srinagar police and today we finally managed to neutralize him,” he said.
Replying to a question, Dilbag Singh said that more than 200 militants have been killed this year so far in Jammu and Kashmir, which includes 190 in Kashmir valley and over a dozen in Jammu division.
He also said that anti-militancy operations like last year would continue even during the winter and would be carried out with more vigour and severity.
DGP also said that after the killing of Reyaz Naikoo, Hizbul Mujahideen had become leaderless and after the killing of Dr Saifullah, it has become leaderless once again.
Replying to a question, DGP said that forces had inputs that Dr Saifullah and his men were planning to attack some more security installations and civilian areas in the valley
DGP also said that the bodies of militants are buried in the presence of their families and to avoid any law and order situation and due to COVID-19, the bodies are being buried away from their native place.
“The bodies are being properly buried in the presence of their families and the concerned magistrates and this process will continue for some more time because of the COVID-19,” the DGP said—(KNO)
