Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind Chief Zakir Musa, known as "India's most wanted" militant, has been killed in Indian-administered Kashmir, the army has said.
According to the Kashmir Window, a local media news site, he was killed after more than 11 hours of gunfight with the army in south Kashmir's Tral district.
His real name is Zakir Rashid Bhat, and was close to a charismatic Kashmiri militant leader, Burhan Wani, whose killing by security forces in 2106 fuelled massive and cruel protests accross the region. Clashes and protests claimed more than 100 civilans lives during a fourth-month security emergency.
BBC reports that news about his death has already triggered unrest and officials are preparing for possible violent protests again after the announcement of Zakir Musa's killing.
"Protesters have clashed with police at many places since morning. Many people shouting 'Musa Musa Zakir Musa' also gathered at the only highway that connects Srinagar with the rest of India and threw stones at forces. The police have been retaliating with tear gas shells and pellet guns," Mr Yasir, Kashmir-based journalist told BBC.