Indian security force trapped top Hizbul Mujahideen commander in an ongoing encounter in South Kashmir’s Awantipora, officials said on Wednesday morning. A terrorist was killed in another gun battle in Pulwama district on Wednesday.

Hizbul commander Riyaz Naikoo killed in Awantipora encounter.Riyaz Naikoo, operational commander of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen, and another militant were killed during an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir’s Awantipora, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said on Wednesday. Naikoo, alias Mohammad Bin Qasim, was trapped in Beighpora village in Pulwama before being killed.

Naikoo, one of Kashmir’s most wanted militant, had taken over the Hizbul leadership in the Valley from Mohammad Yasin Itoo alias Mehmood Ghaznawi after he was killed in August 2017 in a gunfight in Shopian’s Awneera.

A joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army’s 55 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Beighpora in Awantipora of Kashmir late Tuesday night. The search operation began after the security agencies received a tip-off about presence of militants in Beighpora area.

In Beighpora area of Awantipora, a senior police officer confirmed the exchange of bullets between forces and militants. As per the sources, two-three militants are believed to be trapped inside, including top Hizbul commander Riyaz Naikoo.

Internet has been blocked across south Kashmir as precautionary measure after ongoing encounter in Pulwama where Hizbul commander Riyaz Naikoo is believed trapped.

Two separate operations are underway in Pulwama district since Tuesday night. In the other encounter, an unidentified terrorist has been killed.

A terrorist was killed in the gunbattle in Sharshali Khrew area of Pulwama. indian Security forces also recovered one AK-56 rifle from the terrorist killed in the encounter, said police.

Civilians from around 12 to 15 houses have been evacuated.

After a lengthy search operation, a gunfight broke out between militants and security forces in area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district late Tuesday night. As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police has confirmed that the top commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen is trapped inside a building and exchange of fire is on. Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel have said, “The gunbattle might continue further during the day till we clear the target area. Senior officers monitoring the situation since last night.”

This is the second such encounter in Awantipora in the span of eight hours.The gunbattle in Awantipora is the third such operation launched in Kashmir on Tuesday night after the forces received inputs about the presence of militants.