An Indian army soldier lifts his gun to chase away a stray dog near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Indian government forces killed a top rebel commander in Kashmir during a gunbattle Sunday in the disputed region's main city, police said, calling it a major success against the rebels' long fight against Indian rule.
The dead commander, Saifullah Mir, was the chief of operations of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen, which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades.
Inspector-General Vijay Kumar said police and paramilitary soldiers launched an operation Sunday in Srinagar in a neighborhood in the city's outskirts based on a tip that Saifullah was sheltering there. He said a gunfight ensued in which the militant commander was killed and his suspected associate was nabbed.
Kumar said the killing was a major victory for India's counterinsurgency operations in the region.
There was no immediate confirmation from the rebels about the killing.
Shortly after the gunfight, anti-India protests broke out in the neighborhood. Police fired tear gas and shotgun pellets to stop scores of stone-throwing young men from marching in the area.
The protesters were chanting slogans including 'œWe want freedom'ť and 'œGo India, go back.'ť No one was reported injured in the clashes.
According to officials, Saifullah joined the rebels' ranks in 2014 and took charge of the Hizbul Mujahideen as its top operations commander after Indian troops killed his predecessor Reyaz Naikoo in May.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but the rivals each claim the region in its entirety. Rebels have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
India says Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and most Kashmiris call it a legitimate freedom struggle.
Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
Indian police men fire pellets as they chase Kashmiri protestors near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian army soldiers stand guard near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
An Indian army soldier stands guard near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian army soldiers stand guard and watch from near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian army soldiers and policemen stand guard near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Kashmiri protestors amid tear gas smoke clash with Indian police near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian policemen walk towards the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian army soldiers walks back towards their vehicle after a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian army soldiers stand guard near the site of a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. According to police, Indian government forces killed Saifullah Mir, a top rebel commander of the region's largest rebel group, Hizbul Mujahideen which has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule for decades. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press