A top former terrorist commander who was released by a local court in Anantnag on Thursday has gone underground.Nissar Ahmad alias Ghazi Misbauddin, the former chief commander operations,of the Hizbul Mujaheedin was arrested by the security forces on December 6, 2007 in the Bemina area of Srinagar.
The security forces had then described the arrest of Gazi as a major success in their anti-insurgency operations in the state. He was presented in the district court at Anantnag on Thursday where his detention under the Public Safety Act was set aside by the court. The judge released Gazi and he was handed over to his lawyer.
The sleuths of a state counter insurgency organization, who were waiting outside the court to re-arrest him had a surprise waiting for them, when the released terrorist gave them a slip. A senior police officer said that Ghazi had gone underground after his release. Orders had been issued for Gazi's re-arrest. A manhunt has been launched to trace him.
Ghazi's escape is seen as a jolt to the counter insurgency operations as it is feared that he may rejoin the ranks of the Hizbul Mujaheedin.