On May 6, security forces in Kashmir killed Riyaz Naikoo, the operational commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Valley’s largest militant...
On May 6, security forces in Kashmir killed Riyaz Naikoo, the operational commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Valley’s largest militant group.
The gunfight took place in his native village, Beighpora, in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. On the evening of May 5, security forces had launched search operations across South Kashmir.
According to the police, the exchange of fire between the militants and security forces in started on the morning of May 6 in Beighpora. Hours later, Naikoo and an unidentified militant were dead. Two other militants were killed in the Khrew area of Pulwama district the same day. After the gunfight in Beighpora, civilians rushed to the spot, pelting stones. As security forces retaliated, at least 16 were injured.
The twin gunfights came amidst a month and a half of intensifying violence in Kashmir. This period coincides with a nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus crisis. Even while the administrative machinery was busy tackling the pandemic and security forces were deployed to enforce the lockdown, there seems to have been no change in the counterinsurgency plan.
“Of course, lockdown duties are vulnerable but we have to perform in the interest of people,” said Vijay Kumar, inspector general of police, Kashmir. “We had already prepared our strategy...
