A wanted terrorist allegedly linked to the 2019 Pulwama terror attack was reportedly shot dead in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s (PoK) Muzaffarabad region on Thursday, according to sources familiar with the matter. The terrorist, identified as Hamza Burhan, was said to have been attacked by unidentified gunmen who opened fire on him at close range, leaving him critically injured.
Sources claimed that Burhan sustained multiple bullet injuries in the attack and later succumbed to them. The incident reportedly took place in Muzaffarabad, a region that has often drawn attention due to the presence of terror infrastructure operating against India.
So far, there has been no official confirmation from Pakistani authorities regarding the killing, nor has any group claimed responsibility for the attack. The identity of the assailants and the motive behind the shooting remain unclear.
According to intelligence inputs, Hamza Burhan was considered one of the important operatives involved in terror activities linked to the Pulwama region and parts of South Kashmir. Security agencies had long tracked his alleged involvement in militant recruitment, radicalisation, and logistical support for terror outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
Originally from Ratnipora in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Burhan reportedly travelled to Pakistan around seven years ago using valid travel documents. After reaching Pakistan, he allegedly joined the Al-Badr terror outfit, eventually rising through the ranks to become one of its operational commanders.
Officials believed he played a significant role in recruiting local youth into militancy and arranging weapons supply networks for terror groups active in the Valley. Intelligence agencies also accused him of using social media platforms extensively as part of a “digital radicalisation” strategy aimed at influencing and recruiting vulnerable youth.
The Indian government designated Hamza Burhan as a terrorist in 2022 under anti-terror laws. Security agencies maintained that he was deeply involved in spreading extremist ideology and coordinating anti-India activities from across the border.
Investigators had linked him to efforts aimed at reviving militancy in South Kashmir through online propaganda, encrypted communication channels, and coordinated recruitment campaigns. Officials also alleged that he maintained close ties with handlers based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The development comes amid continued efforts by Indian security agencies to dismantle terror networks and curb infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC). The killing of Burhan, if officially confirmed, is expected to have implications for militant networks operating in the Kashmir region.
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