In the fight against terror, there was a big breakthrough on Wednesday as Riyaz Naikoo, Hizbul Mujahideen Chief was killed by security forces in his village, Pulwama district, Kashmir, after being on the run for 8 years. Security forces were engaged in two villages of Pulwama district, one in Sharshalli, where two of the unidentified terrorists were put to death and the other in Beighpora, in Awantipora, where Naikoo was holed up with another terrorist and was finally gunned down. His accomplice too was killed by the security forces as he tried to escape in vain. This elimination of top Hizbul headman comes three days after the killing of 8 security personnel in Handwara, which included two Army officers Colonel Ashutosh Sharma and Major Anuj Sood. 32-year-old Riyaz Naikoo had escaped from police thrice and also had a reward of Rs. 12 Lakh on his head.

The news of his killing led to a few incidents of people pelting stones at security forces, although this was dealt with caution, ensuring no collateral damage. Authorities suspended private phones and mobile internet in the valley, foreseeing a law and order problem.

Security forces zeroed in on Riyaz Naikoo's hiding place on Tuesday, they secured all the escape routes and fortified their cordon around the area instead of an immediate operation, said an official detailing the operation. Army units along with special operations group of J&K Police went further at dawn, Naikoo and his accomplice started firing at security personnel. Post noon, the other terrorist tried to escape by randomly firing at the forces but was shot dead in retaliatory fire. It wasn't long before the forces eliminated the Hizbul commander.

Riyaz Naikoo was the chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group after the death of Burhan Wani in July 2016.