Handwara: A top commander of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen Mehrazuddin Halwai alias Ubaid was killed in the Handwara encounter, police said. Police said Mehrazuddin Halwai alias Ubiad was active in North Kashmir for several years and was involved in many acts of terror.
The police in a statement said, "On Tuesday, the police along with SSB during a routine 'Naka' (checkpoint) checking regarding the enforcement of Covid appropriate behaviour at Watyen Handwara, had stopped a number of vehicles. During checking, one pedestrian was behaving in a very suspicious manner, who was tactfully apprehended by the joint Naka party."
"During his personal search one grenade was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, he was immediately shifted to the nearest police post for questioning. During questioning, he identified himself as Mehraj-ud-din Halwai alias Ubaid Son of Abdul Khaliq, a resident of Khushal Mattoo Sopore, an active terrorist commander of proscribed terror outfit HM," police said.
Police also said that on his disclosure, multiple Cordon And Search Operations (CASOs) were launched by the Handwara Police, Army, CRPF and SSB. When CASO was started, the said terrorist tried to pinpoint the location where he had kept his arms and ammunition hidden.
READ: Two Army jawans held for spying for Pak's ISI: Punjab Police
"Upon reaching the disclosed hideout location, the said terrorist picked up his hidden AK-47 rifle and started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which led to an encounter. In the ensuing firefight the said terrorist got killed," police said.
"A contemporary of Hizbul Mujahideen's notorious terrorist Burhan Wani. While Burhan was engaged in series of civilian, security forces killings in South Kashmir, Mehrazuddin Halwai was involved in killing of civilians, security forces in North Kashmir," police said.
Halwai had joined the terrorist ranks in the year 2011 and has been responsible for misusing social media for terrorism activities. He was also categorized as an A++ militant and was instrumental in recruiting youth into militant ranks.
"He was involved in the killing of SPO Mudasir Ahmad Dar of Untoo Hamam Sopore on 28-07-2013, attack on Sarpanch Khazir Mohd Parray of Krankshivan on 26-07-2013, killing of Sarpanch Habib Ullah Mir of Goripora Bomai, attack on Panch Mst Zoona Begum of Hardshiva Sopore, attack on police party at Hygam Sopore along with his associates on 26-04-2013, in which 4 policemen got killed and decamped with three weapons of the killed policemen, killing of Hurriyat activists Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman of Iqbal Nagar Sopore and Khursheed Ahamd Bhat of Bomai Sopore.
"He was also involved in the killing of former terrorists Mehraj-ud-Din Dar of Badambagh Sopore and Aijaz Ahmad Reshi of Mundji Sopore. Besides, he was involved in attacks on various establishments, including on Hotel Heemal Srinagar," the police said.
A diploma in computer application holder had also been responsible for misusing social media and new methods of communication for terrorism.
Incriminating material, arms and ammunition and medicines were recovered from the encounter site.
A case has also been registered under relevant sections of law.
