Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo neutralised by forces in J&K's Awantipur

In a massive victory for Indian Armed forces, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo has been gunned down in a joint operation of Jammu-Kashmir police and Indian Army on Wednesday, as per J&K police. In operation which began early in day, two terrorists have been eliminated at  J&K's Beighpora area in Awantipur district. elimination of Naikoo - who is a native of Beighpora has been confirmed by former J&K DGP Shesh Paul Vaid, who hailed victory.

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Awantipora encounter

Sources state that joint team of J&K police and Army h been conducting a search operation for past two days, after receiving credible inputs that terrorists were present in vill. J&K police confirmed that team came in contact with 2 terrorists as y were hiding in ir uncle's house in Awantipur. After gunbattle of almost 8 hours, forces eliminated terrorists. In a separate operation in J&K's Pampore district, two more terrorists were killed by Indian forces.

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Naikoo traced

 Sources report that Naikoo was gred as A++ which is  highest in four categories of terrorists.  His deputy commander Saifullah was also suspected to be present along with him. Forces h tracked his movement for a few weeks and inputs about his hideout being changed was recieved. Underground tunnels were reportedly created in his new hideout and teams of Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and SOG h carried our house searches in past two days. 

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Counter-terror operation in Handwara

This comes three days after a team comprising of five Army and JK Police personnel entered target area in Jammu Kashmir's Handwara occupied by terrorists to evacuate civilians taken host in a house in Changimul, Handwara, Army said. Two terrorists were eliminated and team of five security forces personnel comprising of two Army officers, two Army soldiers, and one JK Police Sub Inspector attained martyrdom. Top Lashkar-e Taiba commander Haider from Pakistan has been killed in Handwara encounter.