Who Was Riyaz Naikoo? The Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Killed In An Encounter In Jammu & Kashmir

Riyaz Naikoo, commander of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen was killed in an encounter in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pulwama on May 6. One of Kashmir’s most wanted terrorists, Naikoo was killed during an anti-terrorist operation conducted by the Army and J&K Police in the Beighpura area of Pulwama district. A second terrorist, believed to be Naikoo’s accomplice was also killed in the encounter. Reportedly, three anti-terror operations were launched on May 6 in the south Kashmir area after reports of Naikoo and other terrorists hiding in a village came in. As the encounters began around 9 am, mobile internet services were suspended in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley. He was wanted in 11 terror-related cases. He carried a bounty of Rs 12 lakh on his head and was a close aid of top Hizbul commander Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter in July 2016. Reportedly, Naikoo played a key role in using social media to influence young Kashmiri men. A 2017 Intelligence Bureau report described Naikoo as ‘one of the most experienced Hizbul commanders’. Watch the video to know more about Riyaz Naikoo.