Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Dr Saifullah was killed in an encounter with security forces at Rangreth in Srinagar on Sunday.
Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar told reporters that police and CRPF launched a search operation in Rangreth after a specific alert about the presence of Dr Saifullah in the area. Later, the Army also joined the operation.
He said a suspect has also been arrested.
Kumar termed the killing of Dr Saifullah a “big achievement” against militants.
Dr Saifullah had taken over the militant group after the killing of Riyaz Naikoo in May along with another militant in Pulwama. The killing of Dr Saifullah is blow to Hizbul Mujahideen, that has lost more than 50 militants in encounters this year.
Hizbul Mujahideen is the only indigenous group that continues its activities in Kashmir since the 90s. In the 90s, the group was the most formidable and had more than 10,000 fighters in its ranks.
Much of Kashmir’s militancy depends on Hizbul Mujahideen as the group attracts local youth and enjoys favour among people across Kashmir.
