• Former journalist turned terrorist among 2 killed in Srinagar encounter

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    Former journalist turned terrorist among 2 killed in Srinagar encounter

    According to Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir, the participation of a former journalist in terror acts suggests a clear example of media exploitation.


    Digital Desk: On early Wednesday morning, security forces killed two terrorists in the Rainawari region of Srinagar. According to Jammu and Kashmir police, one of the terrorists, Rayees Ahmad Bhat, was a former journalist who owned the internet news outlet 'Valley News Service' in Anantnag. Bhat joined the terrorist ranks of Lashkar-e-Taiba in August of last year and was classified as a 'C' on the J&K police terrorists' list.

    He is already the subject of two FIRs for terrorism-related offences according to authorities.

    According to Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir, the participation of a former journalist in terror acts suggests a clear example of media exploitation.

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    The official Twitter handle of Kashmir Zone Police tweeted, "One of the killed categorised local #terrorists of proscribed #terror outfit LeT was carrying Identity Card (ID) of media. It indicates a clear case of misuse of media: IGP Kashmir."

    Hilal Ahmad Rahm, a Bijbehara native, was another terrorist killed in the incident. Hilal was also a terrorist classified as a 'C.'

    The former journalist and Hilal Ahmad Rahm; both, according to Kumar, were involved in a number of recent terror incidents, including civilian deaths.

    According to J&K police, incriminating evidence such as rifles and ammunition were discovered at the incident scene.