Confusion prevails over surrender of top aide of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander in Kashmir

Srinagar: Hours after reports claimed that a top operative of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror group had surrendered before security forces in Kashmir early on Saturday, confusion prevailed over the authenticity of reports.

Senior police and Army officers in the Kashmir Valley have refuted reports on any Hizb-ul commander surrendering before the security forces.

It was earlier reported that Tariq Pandit, a close aide of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, surrendered in South Kashmir in the wee hours today.

As per reports quoting senior police officers and defence sources, Tariq Pandit had surrendered before the security agencies in a village in Pulwama.

The ultra was recently seen in group pictures with Burhan Wani that were widely shared on social media.

Burhan Wani is the most wanted Hizb-ul commander in South Kashmir.

Colonel NN Joshi, the Srinagar-based defence spokesman, told reporters here: "Reports of Tariq's surrender are absolutely baseless."