Tensions in J&K after poster boy of terrorists get killed by security forces

Srinagar (News Agency) – Pakistan’s terrorist’s organization, Hizbul Mujahideen’s “Poster Boy”, Burhan Muzaffar Wani was killed on Friday night in an encounter carried out by the security forces. Since last four years, Burhan was successful in recruiting Kashmiri youth in the Hizbul Mujahideen through social media. He was also the mastermind behind recent terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, therefore, killing him was considered as a huge success for the security forces. After Burhan’s killing, there was unrest in J&K created by angry separatist organizations who demanded a strike withinin the state for three days. This consequently resulted in halting of the Amarnath Yatra.

By using social media, Burhan had turned many Kashmiri youth towards terrorism. Last year he had put several pictures of himself posing with the armed terrorist on internet making him famous and was titled as a “Poster Boy” for Jammu & Kashmir’s terrorist organization Hizbul Mujahideen. In 2010, Burhan who was just 15 years old when recruited by Hizbul Mujahideenl. He was, subsequently, made a Commander of the group in 2011. In the past two years, J&K security forces had planned and killed many leading terrorists, including, many commanders of Hizbul. This catapulted Burhan as the head responsible for J&K’s Hizbul group’s operations.

The security forces had successfully foiled all the possible attacks which were planned by these terrorist organizations, which resulted in the frustrated terrorists’ targeting the security instead.It has also been said that in past few years, such attacks on security forces too were masterminded by Burhan. He also had a bounty of ten lakh rupees on his name.

On Friday, the security forces got a tip-off that Burhan was in Kokerang in Tral. They setup a trap to capture him. After sensingthat he was surrounded by the forces on all sides, he along with other two terrorists, opened fire at them,while, hurling hand grenades. This encounter lasted for two hours and ended in killing of Burhan along with three other terrorists.

As news of Burhan’s death spread, the separatist organizations called for a strike in the valley. They started stone-pelting on streets and tried to target the army soldiers. They also started destructing offices. Many people were injured in this violence. Many separatist leaders and politicians were kept under house-arrest, turning situation in Jammu and Kashmir very volatile. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Prime Minister Office congratulated the security forces on successfully elimination ofBurhan. He also called upon everyone, to keep aside their political interests and come together to fight terrorism.

The ensuing violence in Jammu and Kashmir has put Amarnath Yatra on hold untill peace is restored fully.. In Jammu and Kashmir, the base camp for the Yatra has been moved further down. Amarnath Yatra has always been targeted by terrorists and after Burhan’s death, there might be a possibility of retaliatory attacks on the Amarnath pilgrims,therefore, for security reasons it has been decided to vacate the current Amarnath base camp. Apart from this, in an effort to curtail spreading of rumours and anti-establishment propaganda, internet and mobile services have been temporarily suspended in the Valley. There has been a partial curfew imposed on places like Pulwama, Anantnag, Sopore, Shopian and Pahalgam. Schools have been kept close and exams have been postponed. The railway services from Baramulla to Banihal too have been temporarily stopped.