Burhan Muzaffar Wani, the 22-year-old commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, has been killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir, police have said. Two other militants also were killed in the encounter. J&K police chief K Rajendra confirmed that Wani was killed in the exchange of fire between security personnel and militants in Anantnag.
Burhan Wani had emerged as the new poster boy of militancy in the Kashmir valley. Government of India had announced Rs 1 million bounty for finding Burhan.
Burhan Wani Joined the separatist movement after an alleged assault by the security forces on his brother Khalid. At 15, he joined Hizbul Mujahideen.
Born to a wealthy family in Tral in the southern part of Kashmir, he represented the disturbing profile of young, educated Kashmiri boys taking up arms.Burhan Wani’s father was a school principal.
Last month Wani released a video warning of attacks on separate colonies for Sainiks and Kashmiri Pandits if they are set up in the Valley. The major part of the video message, however, was directed at the J&K Police warning them of more attacks.