Who was Hamza Burhan, the mastermind of Pulwama, doctor-teacher and recruiter of terrorists?

New Delhi: Arjumand Gulzar Dar alias Hamza Burhan, who emerged from Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir and became an important face of the terrorist network in Pakistan, has died. According to the information, he was killed by an unknown assailant in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. He was active in anti-India activities for a long time and was associated with the terrorist organization Al-Badr. Indian security agencies were keeping an eye on his activities for many years.

Where was Hamza Burhan from?

Arjumand Gulzar Dar was originally a resident of Kharbatpora Ratnipora area of ​​Pulwama. It is said that he had moved to Pakistan through valid documents. After reaching there, he joined the terrorist organization Al-Badr and gradually his role in the organization became stronger. Later he came to be considered the active commander of the organization.

While living in Pakistan, he presented his identity as a teacher, so that no one could doubt his real activities. However, Indian agencies claimed that he was operating a terrorist network behind the scenes and carrying out anti-India operations from Pakistani soil.

The Government of India had declared him a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act i.e. UAPA. According to Home Ministry records, he was playing an active role in radicalizing the youth in Jammu and Kashmir and recruiting them into terrorist organizations. Investigative agencies said that he used to influence the youth through social media and local contacts and tried to take them on the path of terrorism.

Name surfaced in many terrorist cases

His name had come up in many terrorist cases. His role was also investigated in the incidents of explosives being recovered from over ground workers in Pulwama. Apart from this, he was also linked to the grenade attack on CRPF soldiers in November 2020. According to security agencies, he was also involved in providing financial help, weapons and logistics support to the terrorists.

In security circles, Hamza Burhan was considered an important part of the terrorist structure operating in Kashmir. Indian agencies believed that he was not just a terrorist, but an operator who was engaged in strengthening the terrorist network by sitting across the border.