Hizbul Chief Claims Responsibility For Terror Attack In Handwara

Five security personnel and two terrorists were killed in the attack.

Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin.

(Photo: The Quint)

Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin has claimed responsibility for the Handwara terror attack in North Kashmir on 3 May, in which a Commanding Officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, and four other security personnel lost their lives.

News agency ANI has tweeted a video of Salahuddin claiming responsibility for the overnight encounter.

Five security personnel, including a Commanding Officer of 21 Rashtriya Rifles unit, a Major, two soldiers and one Jammu and Kashmir policeman were killed in the encounter. Two terrorists were also killed by the forces.

One of the terrorists killed has been identified as a top Lashkar-e Taiba commander Haider from Pakistan.

In a follow-up operation that the Indian security forces launched on 6 May in Kashmir's Pulwama, top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo was also killed.

Salahuddin claimed responsibility for the Handwara attack in a condolence meeting for Naikoo.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had paid tribute to the deceased security officers saying that their “valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”