Burhan Wani's successor Zakir Musa gunned down by security forces during joint operation in Tral, J&K

In a massive newsbreak, wanted terrorist, chief of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, Zakir Musa was killed in an encounter with security forces in Tral in Pulwama, the Army confirmed on Friday. 

Speaking to Republic in the matter, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik said that while SOP was followed by giving a chance to the terrorist to surrender, however, when firing broke out in the region, the army also retaliated with force. He further urged people of Valley to maintain peace in the region.

"My comment on this won't be correct. Security forces are doing their work every day, and as per SOP, they are asked to surrender first but when firing begins, nothing is in our hands. Also, if you fire on forces, you can't expect a bouquet of flowers from forces. I would request them not to support armed struggle. There will be no outcome from it. These forces will be decimated like MPP. The only solution to communicate. I would like to ask the people of valley to maintain peace and not create trouble foe the army. The army is not their enemy. Everything is in place now," the J&K Governor said. 

The forces have also recovered an AK-47 rifle and a rocket launcher in the operation at Dadsara village in Tral which began on May 23, as per news agency ANI inputs.

Earlier on Thursday, he was trapped by the security forces during the cordon and search operation launched by the forces in South Kashmir. The officials said that the gunfight broke out at Dadsara village after the terrorists tried to escape the cordon. The operation was launched following inputs about the presence of Musa.

READ | WATCH: Massive Victory For Indian Army In Pulwama, Neutralises Three JeM Terrorists In Encounter

After the state police forces killed three terrorists affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen on May 18, there had been tension in the area.

Terrorists on Tuesday evening hurled grenade at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) post situated at State Bank of India (SBI) in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. There were no reports of life or injury following the grenade attack.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir police has asked the citizens to restrict the areas of Pulwama, Awantipora, Srinagar, Anantnag and Budgam as a precautionary measure.

READ | An Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces And Terrorists In Jammu And Kashmir's Pulwama

(With agency inputs)