J&K: Interpol notice against Hizbul terrorist wanted in cop killings

SRINAGAR: J&K police announced Saturday an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) against a designated Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorist, Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo alias Fayaz, over a 2013 attack that left four cops dead in north Kashmir’s Sopore.The notice will help international law enforcement agencies locate, detain, and initiate legal proceedings for extradition of Kandoo to face trial, J&K police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) said.The ambush of April 2013 in Hygam area of Sopore was one of the deadliest strikes against security forces at the time. The case was transferred to SIA in 2024 for a comprehensive investigation.SIA described the Red Corner Notice against Kandoo as a significant achievement. “It underscores the agency’s growing capability in pursuing fugitives across international jurisdictions and leveraging global policing mechanisms to ensure perpetrators of terrorism are held accountable,” SIA said.Sopore native Kandoo has been a Hizbul commander since 2010. He was officially designated a terrorist by the Centre in 2022.SIA said it had completed investigations into the Hygam attack and filed a chargesheet in a trial court in 2024, naming Kandoo and five others as accused. Three of the accused were arrested and two killed in encounters while investigations were on, SIA said.One of the two deceased was identified as Qayoom Najar, a commander killed in 2017 near the LoC in Uri while trying to sneak into the Valley to take charge of Hizbul’s local module. “The sixth and main accused, Kandoo, is absconding and is believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan. He is wanted in at least 10 more terror-related cases,” SIA added.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.