The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prepared a list of top ten terrorists operating in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. This list has been reportedly prepared after taking inputs from the intelligence agencies and the security personnel. The list includes certain prominent names. It includes the names of terrorists who are a part of the terror organisations like Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al-Badr.
The MHA has also disclosed that 102 terrorists have already been killed in the valley this year. While another 286 terrorists are still believed to be active. It must be noted that soon after assuming charge as the Home Minister, Amit Shah had met the Jammu & Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik, who briefed Shah about the security situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Malik had told reporters, “I have discussed security matters and development issues with the Home Minister.” It had therefore already become clear that targeting the top terrorists and commanders active in the valley is the top priority of the newly sworn-in Home Minister, Amit Shah. And now this hit list has made it clear that the security agencies are not going to spare terrorists and their commanders in the valley.
Hizbul Mujahideen chief, Riyaz Naikoo has topped the list of most wanted terrorists in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He is from Bandipora and falls in the A++ Category. In fact, he replaced Zakir Musa as the most wanted terror commander in the valley and carries a reward of Rs. 12 lakh on his head. A post graduate in Mathematics, Naikoo took over as the Hizbul chief after a disgruntled Zakir Musa quit and took over as the chief of Al Qaeda affiliate, Ansar Ghazwatul Hind. Naikoo has been instrumental in radicalising the ordinary citizens of the valley, especially youths. He has also been involved in several abductions of families of policemen. And has also been warning the youth against taking part in the Indian Army recruitment rallies.
Naikoo is followed by Lashkar-e-Tayiba Shopian district commander, Wasim Ahmed alias Osama. He is followed by Mohamammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Maulawi. He is associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and believed to be active in Anantnag. Next in the list is Mehrazuddin, who is also believed to be a part of the Hizbul Mujahideen. He is reported to be active in Baramulla as an area district commander. He is followed by Srinagar-based Dr. Saifulla alias Saifulla Mir alias Dr. Saif. He is believed to be a part of the Hizbul organisation and involved in the recruitment of terrorists.
At number 6 in the hit list is another Hizbul terrorist, Arshaid-ul-Haq from Pulwama in Kashmir. He belongs to the A++ category. And is reportedly acting as the district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. He is followed by Pakistani terrorist, Hafiz Omar, who had crossed over into the Indian territory. He had trained at the Balakot terror training camp which was bombed by the IAF earlier this year.
At number 8 in the hit list is Zahid Sheikh, a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist. He is said to have fought the NATO forces in Afghanistan. Al-Badr terrorist Javed Mattoo follows him in the MHA hit list. He is said to be active in north Kashmir and as per reports, he is active as a divisional commander. Last, in the list is Hizbul terrorist, Ezaz Ahmed Malik. He is active in Kupwara. He is operating as a district commander in the area.
The security agencies under the leadership of Amit Shah who has assumed charge as the Union Minister for Home Affairs, are clearly determined to crack down on terror in the valley and eliminate all top commanders in order to ensure that the state is rid of all nefarious elements.