Kupwara: Manan Wani, 27, scholar-turned-militant, was killed along with his aide in a pre-dawn operation by J-K Police and Army in north Kashmir’s Handwara on Thursday.
He died nine months after he quit a PhD programme at Aligarh Muslim University to join militant ranks.
His death dealt a blow to Hizbul operations in the valley. A close aide of Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief Riyaz Naikoo, Wani is a Kupwara resident.
“Contact with the hiding militants was established during a [pre-dawn] house-to-house search operation in the Shatgund Qalamabad area of Handwara town. They were offered a chance to surrender. However, a fierce gunfight ensued, in which both were killed” Hindu quoted Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, S.P. Pani as saying.
Wani’s death caused spontaneous protests in Kupwara prompting security forces to resort to tear gas, injuring civilians.
Educational institutions in the three districts of north Kashmir and South Kashmir’s Pulwama would remain closed on Friday.
Former Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti termed the killing of Wani as “Our Loss”.