Occupied Kashmir University professor martyred by Indian Army in a fake encounter
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*SRINAGAR - *Mohammad Rafi Bhat, the assistant professor at Kashmir University was martyred along with a top Hizbul commander, once considered close to Burhan Wani, by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian today morning.
Bhat, a resident of Chundina in Ganderbal district, 20 kilometres from Srinagar, taught Sociology at Kashmir University.
His family on Saturday had told the police that he became untraceable since 3:30 pm on Friday. Bhat's mother said she spoke with him last on Friday and he gave no hints to take up arms.
Protests soon broke out on the university campus, with students alleging that there could be foul play over his disappearance. The university's vice-chancellor immediately met with the protesting students and assured them of tracing the missing professor in no time, and also sought the help of the Director General of Police.
Today morning, the students found out where the professor had gone - he was among the four Hizbul Mujahideen shot dead by security forces during an encounter at Badigam village in south Kashmir's Shopian district.
[image: kashmir afp]
Mohammad Rafi Bhat went missing from his house on Friday (AFP) Several youth in Kashmir after Burhan Wani was killed in July 2016 have had a short stint -- some of have been killed within a fortnight of joining the militants groups, people familiar with the matter said.
As soldiers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the army surrounded the village where the Hizbul Mujahideen militants were hiding.
Mr Bhat was reportedly meeting Hizbul commander, Saddam Padder, when security forces launched the operation. The assistant professor had reportedly joined the militants group a few years ago, people familiar with the matter told NDTV.
