Srinagar: Soon after two new videos of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zakir Rashid went viral, security forces launched a manhunt to nab him and tracked one of his hideouts in South Kashmir's Pulwama district where the clip was believed to have been shot.
Security forces are "inching closer to him through our informer network," police officials said about Zakir, who has purportedly claimed in the two-minute video that his outfit had got hold of the database of all "informers" working with the agencies.
Launching a manhunt, security forces conducted an "intelligence-based operation" in Batipora Dadsara village of Tral in the district and "busted" the "studio hideout" where the video was believed to have been filmed, they said.
Some clothes and other material used by Zakir alias Moosa and other terrorists in different videos and photographs were recovered from the house which was raided by the security forces, the officials said.
"We identified the room and other things that appear in Hizbul Mujahideen commander's videos and photos. He may have been using one of the rooms of the said house as a studio, where he used to record his videos," the officials said.
The house owner is absconding and a case has been registered, they said, adding investigation has been taken up and "strict action will be taken against all over-ground workers and harbourers of terrorists in the future as well."
In the video which is in circulation on social media in Kashmir, a man, who cannot be seen but has a voice-over, claims to be Zakir and is heard saying that the terrorist outfit has gained access to 'database' of "informers" of security forces.
However, the claim was disputed by the police.
Another video was also doing the rounds on social media, showing Zakir holding a rifle and donning army fatigue.
In the video, he is seen issuing threats to policemen while speaking in Urdu.
Zakir had taken over the terrorist outfit in the Valley after his predecessor Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in July this year.
Security forces are "inching closer to him through our informer network," police officials said about Zakir, who has purportedly claimed in the two-minute video that his outfit had got hold of the database of all "informers" working with the agencies.
Launching a manhunt, security forces conducted an "intelligence-based operation" in Batipora Dadsara village of Tral in the district and "busted" the "studio hideout" where the video was believed to have been filmed, they said.
"We identified the room and other things that appear in Hizbul Mujahideen commander's videos and photos. He may have been using one of the rooms of the said house as a studio, where he used to record his videos," the officials said.
Advertisement
In the video which is in circulation on social media in Kashmir, a man, who cannot be seen but has a voice-over, claims to be Zakir and is heard saying that the terrorist outfit has gained access to 'database' of "informers" of security forces.
Advertisement
Another video was also doing the rounds on social media, showing Zakir holding a rifle and donning army fatigue.
Advertisement
Zakir had taken over the terrorist outfit in the Valley after his predecessor Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in July this year.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
2 Terrorists Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In J&K's Pulwama Telangana Chief Minister Questions Balakot Airstrike, BJP Strikes Back 2 Missing, 7 Rescued After Boat Capsizes In Jammu And Kashmir's Pulwama Question On Atoms In NEET-UG Physics Section Catches Supreme Court's Eye "Cops Can't Force...": Supreme Court Pauses Kanwar Yatra Food Stalls Order Elon Musk Reacts After Vivek Ramaswamy's Biden Prediction Goes Viral 57 Bangladeshis Jailed For Protesting In UAE: Report Noida Cops Bust Inter-State Gang That Stole Cars In 10 Minutes Used To Visit Veg Hotel Run By Muslim In Kerala: Supreme Court Judge Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.