Pulwama attack mastermind Burhan Hamza shot dead in POJK by unknown gunmen

Arjumand Gulzar, alias Burhan Hamza.

Arjumand Gulzar, alias Burhan Hamza, a designated terrorist and the key mastermind of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy, has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials told news agency PTI on Thursday.

Hamza, who was operating under Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-vetted security cover, was ambushed in Muzaffarabad.

He was critically injured in the attack and was airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalpindi, where he later succumbed to his injuries, officials said. The attackers managed to flee the spot before local security forces could reach the area, they added.

Originally from Khar in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, Hamza was earlier associated with Al Badr and later moved to Al Baraq. He was also said to have maintained close links with Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, after his exit from the outfit.

He was a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his role in orchestrating the February 14, 2019 suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, in which 40 personnel were killed. The attack was carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

In retaliation, Indian security forces launched an intelligence-led operation using Indian Air Force (IAF) jets in the early hours of February 26, 2019, targeting the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot.

'Hamza lived under heavy ISI-provided security in Muzaffarabad'

Hamza, also known by the alias "Doctor", was living in Cheela Bandi on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad under heavy security, including eight commandos, a bullet-resistant vehicle, and an escort vehicle, indicating high-level protection, according to PTI sources.

The security cover was reportedly provided after he allegedly staged a fabricated attack on himself between January and February 2025.

He was also working closely with Farooq Qureshi, a former Al Baraq commander whose name has surfaced in dossiers linked to narcotics trafficking, counterfeit currency, arms smuggling and cross-border militant operations in the Kashmir Valley.

PTI sources said the two operated from an industrial compound locally referred to as the "Machis Factory" in Muzaffarabad.

Hamza also maintained close links with Pakistan's ISI, particularly an officer identified as Colonel Rizwan, suggesting deeper intelligence ties, they added.

The terrorist had recently married the daughter of Qadir Lala, a former Hizbul Mujahideen operative from Kupwara, who is currently employed as a security operator at the group's housing project in Chek Shezad, Pakistan.

He was also said to have maintained close ties with Murtaza, another former Hizbul Mujahideen operative from Pulwama, now based in Islamabad, and was reported to make frequent visits to his residence, sources said.

(With PTI inputs)