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SRINAGAR, India: A senior rebel commander in Kashmir was killed by Indian government forces during a shootout on Sunday (November 1) in the main city of the disputed region, police said, calling it a great success against the long fighting of the rebels against the Indian government.
The slain commander, Saifullah Mir, was the chief of operations for the region’s largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen, which has led an armed rebellion against the Indian government for decades.
Inspector General Vijay Kumar said police and paramilitary soldiers launched an operation Sunday in Srinagar, in a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, based on a tip that Saifullah was taking refuge there. He said there was a shooting in which the militant commander was killed and his alleged partner was captured.
Kumar said the assassination was a major victory for India’s counterinsurgency operations in the region.
There was no immediate confirmation from the rebels about the murder.
Shortly after the shooting, anti-India protests broke out in the neighborhood. Police fired tear gas and shotgun pellets to prevent dozens of stone-throwing youths from marching through the area.
The protesters shouted slogans including “We want freedom” and “Go to India, come back.” No one was injured in the clashes.
According to officials, Saifullah joined the ranks of the rebels in 2014 and took over Hizbul Mujahideen as its main operations commander after Indian troops killed his predecessor Reyaz Naikoo in May.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but the rivals claim the entire region. The rebels have been fighting the Indian government since 1989. Most Muslims in Kashmir support the rebel goal of having the territory united under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
India says Kashmir militancy is Pakistani-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the accusation, and most Kashmiris call it a fight for legitimate freedom.
Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have died in the conflict.
