State Times News
Srinagar: Al-Qaeda Kashmir chief Zakir Musa is reportedly remained trapped in a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district after the security forces on Friday cordoned off the area to flush out the terrorist.
According to a report, a search operation is currently underway in Norpora village in Tral.
Musa is believed to have gone into hiding after the security forces closed in on him, the national news channel reported. Meanwhile, clashes have reportedly erupted between the locals and the security forces as some tried to disrupt the search operation.
The report said people have taken to the streets and staged protests in the area of the operation.
Musa,22, is reportedly a native of Norpora village. The village is close to the spot where Hizbul chief Burhani Wani was killed by the Army last year.
Musa was named Burhani Wani’s successor to lead Hizbul Mujahideen in the Valley, but soon broke off and formed Taliban-e-Kashmir, as his brand of violence was too extreme even for the Mujahideen. He had recently exited HM following a controversy over his statement that he was not confining his fight for Kashmir cause but for the Caliphate.
The al Qaeda’s claims of making inroads in Kashmir could potentially open a new front in the valley, which is witnessing a spurt in militant activities and civilian protests since the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani last year.
Musa is also the first militant commander who claims “the separatist movement in Kashmir is for establishment of an Islamic state and not a political struggle”. Musa fell out with Hizbul Mujahideen on May 14, after threatening to publicly behead Hurriyat leaders, who insist that the movement is Kashmir is “political”.
