Hizbul Mujahideen’s Chief Operational Commander Saifullah, alias Ghazi Haider (code name), was gunned down by the joint team of security forces in Rangreth of Srinagar late Sunday afternoon without suffering any collateral damage. 

Resident of Malangpora, he was one of the most wanted terrorists in Kashmir Valley and was directly involved in several attacks on the security forces, according to the police records.

He was active since 2014 in Valley and became operational commander of the pro-Pakistan terrorist outfit in Kashmir in May 2020 after the elimination of Reyaz Naikoo, former HM commander.

Official sources said, “Late Saturday evening the intelligence network of the Jammu & Kashmir police had shared information about the presence of one of the top commanders in the Rangreth area. The operation was launched late Sunday afternoon after rushing separate teams in the area.”

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said, “This is a huge success for the police and security forces.”

Kumar said, “During the search operation, the terrorist was given the opportunity to surrender, however, he fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

Later on 53RR also joined in the operation.  In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter.”

As per police records, the HM commander was involved in many terror crimes and civilian atrocities besides was instrumental in recruiting innocent youth into terror folds.

According to a Jammu & Kashmir police spokesman, Saif-ul-Islam was involved in killing of SgCT Khurshid Ahmad in Pulwama, killing of PSO of NC leader & SgCt Manzoor Ahmed in Kokernag, killing of a non local truck driver at Bijbehara, killing of Tanveer Ahmad Dar in Shopian. He was involved in an attack on Sarpanch in Kokernag, grenade attacks on Police Post Kakapora & Police Post Lassipora.

Besides, he was also involved in many similar terror crimes regarding which dozens of cases stand registered against him in different police stations.