Saddam Padder, KU professor among 5 militants killed in Shopian

Srinagar, May 06: Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander and Burhan Wani’s associate Saddam Padder was among the five militants killed in yet another encounter in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Sunday.
The slain also included Kashmir University’s Assistant Professor Dr Mohammad Rafi, who had gone missing only a couple of days ago.
On Sunday morning, a fierce gunfight started between militants and the joint team of army’s 44 RR, SOG and CRPF.
Later reinforcements of army’s 34 RR, 3 RR and 44 were rushed to the area.
Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid confirmed the killing of five militants including Saddam Padder.
Saddam who was one of the close associates of Burhan Wani – the Hizb commander whose death in 2016 triggered massive uprising across Kashmir with over 10 civilians getting killed by forces during protests, which also saw more than 10,000 people getting injured, hundreds of them losing eyesight completely or partially in pellet firing.
A police officer confirmed that Kashmir University’s assistant professor Dr Mohammad Rafi Bhat was also among the slain.
The other slain militants included Bilal Ahmad Mohand of Heff Shirmal, Shopian (who was active since October, 2016) Adil Ahmad Malik of Malik Gund, Shopian (active since August, 2014) and Tauseef Ahmad Sheikh of Rampora, Quimoh (active since 2013). All these militants were rated highly in Hizb cadres.
IGP Kashmir, SP Pani said that efforts were made to persuade militants to surrender but they refused. The announcements were on loudspeakers.
“We even tried to take families to encounter site to persuade the militants but to no avail,” IGP said.