Sabzar Ahmed Bhat was a Kashmiri militant, who was the area commander of the militant organisation Hizbul Mujahideen.[1][2] He was killed in an encounter by the police on 26 May 2017 at Tral.[2][3]
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Bhat's home village is reported to have been in Rathsuna, Tral, Jammu and Kashmir.[2][4] He only finished half of his schooling, dropping out after failing his Class X examinations, and previously worked in the orchards and fields of his father.[citation needed]
He reportedly joined militant organisation Hizbul Mujahideen in April 2015, after stealing a rifle from a CRPF soldier in Tral.[4] Bhat is reported to have been involved in attacks on panchayat members and security forces, as well as the execution of civilians he believed to be informants.[5][6] In October 2015, he was arrested for transporting two Lashkar-e-Taiba jihadists involved in the 2015 Udhampur Terrorist Attack.[7] In that case, he was indicted on 29 January 2016.[8]
Bhat was an aide and close friend to the previous Hizbul Mujahideen fighter, Burhan Wani, who was commander and was killed in July 2016.[2] Indian security forces considered him effective at using social media to recruit youth towards terrorism.[9][10] Indian security forces previously located him in Rathsuna, in March 2017, but he was able to evade them after a 15-hour gunfight that left one policeman dead.[4][5][11][12]
Bhat was killed in a firefight with Indian security forces in Soimoh, Tral, approximately forty kilometers outside of Srinagar.[13][2] He was subsequently buried in Pulwama.[14] His death sparked clashes and a police-imposed curfew, during which a youth was killed in clashes with the Central Reserve Police Force.[15] Internet and phone service across Kashmir was suspended in an attempt to calm the region.[16][17][18]
A previously unknown militant group, Mujahideen Taliban-e-Kashmir, claimed it had provided information on Bhat to security forces.[19] The claim remains unverified, though some analysts suggested it reflected a growing schism between various terrorist groups in Kashmir, with members of Hizbul Mujahideen concerned that Zakir Musa may have betrayed Bhat.[20][21]
Ashiq, Peerzada (14 October 2017). "As commanders fall, militants lose links to handlers". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 October 2017. Some 21 commanders, including Hizbul Mujahideen's Sabzar Bhat, Shahbaz Shafi alias Rayees Kachroo and Commander Aijaz Mir, have been killed so far as well. And was the member of Burhan wani Muzaffar squad
Naseem, Ishfaq (2 August 2016). "Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Ahmad Bhat remains top-rated militant for police". Firstpost. Retrieved 3 June 2017. Besides the attacks on the panchs, sarpanchs and security forces, Sabzar is known to have carried out the killings of civilians who were believed to have been the informers of the forces. While Burhan was an 'A++ listed' militant, police officials said, Sabzar was an 'A category' militant.
Nanjappa, Vicky (30 May 2017). "Sabzar Bhat, the terrorist who shot more selfies than bullets". Oneindia. Retrieved 3 June 2017. Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that like Wani, this person too was a social media tiger. The youth of Kashmir unnecessarily get carried away by such people who make a pomp and show on the social media. This is just a strategy on their part to attract the youth into their fold, the official also added.
Parvaiz, Athr (30 May 2017). "Since July 2016, Kashmir's schools and colleges stayed shut on 60% of working days". Hindustan Times. The killing of Wani's successor, Sabzar Bhat, on May 27, 2017, threatens to further stoke the fire raging since the April 9, 2017 by-elections for a parliamentary seat. On May 27, 2017, separatists announced three days of strike and protests to mourn Bhat's death while the police imposed curfew to prevent people from gathering. Yet, clashes took place between protesters and personnel of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force resulting in the killing of a youth and injuries to 70 others.
Safi, Michael (8 July 2017). "WhatsApp warriors on the new frontline of Kashmir's conflict". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2017. Mobile internet services were shut down completely 24 hours later, when the killing of a prominent militant, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, ignited new demonstrations. His image, clutching by turns guns and selfie sticks, filled Facebook timelines across the region.
Rashid, Toufiq (1 June 2017). "J-K: Unknown militant group claims to have killed Hizb commander Sabzar Bhat". Hindustan Times. The group – which identified itself as Mujahideen Taliban-e-Kashmir – said they provided information on Bhat to security forces because "he was coming in the way of Kashmir's Islamic struggle". A video that surfaced on the social media on Wednesday showed an armed masked man swearing allegiance to former HM commander Zakir Musa in his quest to "turn Kashmir into an Islamic state". Another clip posted on Thursday showed three masked men telling both militants and Kashmiri citizens to follow Musa unless they wanted to face the same fate as Bhat. "We provided information on the militants in Arampora, and we will continue to do so if anybody comes in our way," one of them said. "Sabzar got what he deserved, and we don't care who becomes the new chief."
Kanwal, Rahul (30 May 2017). "Was Sabzar Bhatt betrayed by boss Zakir Musa? Intel inputs suggest rift among Kashmiri terrorists". Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Radio and mobile chatter intercepted by India's intelligence agencies reflect a high level of distrust between former Hizbul commander Zakir Musa and the terror outfit he had led till recently. In the aftermath of the encounter killing of Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Bhatt, Indian agencies have recorded multiple conversations where Hizbul Mujahideen cadre can be heard discussing whether Zakir Musa betrayed Sabzar Bhatt. Hizbul terrorists seem to suspect that a personal messenger close to Musa tipped off the Jammu and Kashmir police about the location of Sabzar's hideout. Sabzar was killed last week in an encounter very close to his hometown of Tral.
Goswami, Dev, ed. (28 May 2017). "Pakistan calls Sabzar Ahmad Bhat 'martyr' says India killing 'defenceless Kashmiris'". Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. A statement released by the Pakistan Foreign Office said, "Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz strongly condemned killing of 12 people in held Kashmir since yesterday by the Indian forces in Pulwama and Baramulla."The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab also unanimously passed a resolution condemning the killing of Bhat, and requested United Nations intervention in Kashmir. The resolution was tabled by Opposition Leader Mian Mahmoodur Rashid in the Punjab Assembly's today session. The resolution condemned the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat and other militants last week. The assembly passed the resolution unanimously.