New Delhi, May 21: In yet another attack by unidentified gunmen targeting terror operatives in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a top operational commander of the banned Al-Badr terror outfit was shot dead in Muzaffarabad.

The deceased was identified as Arjamand Gulzar alias Burhan Hamza, who was wanted in India for allegedly spearheading terror activities and radicalisation networks in Jammu and Kashmir. He was one of the masterminds of the 2019 Pulwama attack, which left over 40 CRPF personnel dead.

Security agencies said Hamza had been actively involved in anti-India operations and played a key role in recruiting and radicalising youth in South Kashmir.

Pulwama Native Shifted To Pakistan
Hamza was a native of Ratnipora area in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Around seven years ago, he reportedly crossed over to Pakistan and later joined the Al-Badr terror outfit.

He eventually rose to become the operational commander of the organisation and allegedly managed recruitment, funding and arms supply networks in Kashmir from across the border.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had declared him a terrorist in 2022. He was also on the “Most Wanted” list of Indian security agencies for his alleged role in terror activities in Pulwama and other parts of South Kashmir.

Linked To Digital Radicalisation Network
Officials said Hamza was considered part of the “digital radicalisation” model used by terror outfits to influence youth through social media and local networks.

His network was reportedly active in Pulwama, Shopian and Awantipora areas. Investigators alleged that he coordinated with overground workers (OGWs) to facilitate movement of weapons, funds and operational instructions into Kashmir.

His name had surfaced in multiple investigations related to terror recruitment, grenade attacks and recovery of explosives.

Series Of Attacks On Terror Commanders
Since 2023, more than 50 commanders linked to terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen have reportedly been killed by unidentified attackers in Pakistan and PoK.

Earlier in April, Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Sheikh Yousuf Afridi was shot dead in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by unknown assailants.

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In March, LeT founding member Amir Hamza survived after unidentified gunmen opened fire on him outside a television station in Lahore.

Security sources said the killing of Arjamand Gulzar marks another setback for terror outfits attempting to revive militancy in Jammu and Kashmir from bases operating in PoK.