J&K SIA secures Interpol Red Notice against Hizbul Mujahideen commander in 2013 Sopore attack
Synopsis
Twelve years after a terror ambush killed four J&K Police personnel in Sopore, SIA Kashmir has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against the attack's main accused — a Hizbul Mujahideen commander believed to be sheltering in Pakistan and wanted in at least ten other terror cases. It is a rare cross-border accountability move in a case that had long gone cold.
Key Takeaways
SIA Kashmir secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against Hizbul Mujahideen commander Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo on 11 July 2025 .
Kandoo is the main accused in the 26 April 2013 terror ambush at Hygam, Sopore , which killed four J&K Police personnel .
He is believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan and is wanted in at least 10 other terror-related cases linked to more than 15 deaths.
The Government of India designated him an Individual Terrorist in October 2022 .
Of the six accused, two were killed in encounters, three are under trial, and Kandoo remains at large.
A comprehensive chargesheet was filed before the trial court in July 2024 .
The Jammu and Kashmir Special Investigation Agency (SIA) has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) against designated Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, alias Fayaz alias Sajad, in connection with the 26 April 2013 terror ambush at Peer Mohalla, Hygam, Sopore — an attack that killed four J&K Police personnel. The notice, announced on Saturday, 11 July, marks a significant milestone in one of Kashmir's longest-running counter-terrorism investigations.
The 2013 Hygam Attack
On 26 April 2013, terrorists armed with automatic weapons ambushed a police party at Peer Mohalla, Hygam, in the Sopore sub-division, killing four J&K Police personnel. The attack was described by investigators as one of the most serious terrorist strikes against security forces during that period. The case was initially registered at Police Station Tarzoo, Sopore, before being transferred to SIA Kashmir in 2024 for a comprehensive probe.
Who Is Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo
A resident of Kraltang, Sopore, Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo has been an active member and commander of the proscribed outfit Hizbul Mujahideen since 2010. The Government of India notified him as a Designated Individual Terrorist in October 2022. He is currently believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan and is absconding. Beyond the 2013 Hygam case, he is reportedly wanted in at least ten other terror-related cases involving targeted killings linked to the deaths of more than 15 persons, arms and ammunition smuggling, and narco-terror financing.
State of the Investigation
Following an extensive probe — involving evidence collection, witness examination, and reconstruction of the conspiracy — SIA Kashmir filed a comprehensive chargesheet before the competent trial court in July 2024 against six accused persons. Two of the accused, Tariq Ahmad Mir of Kalamabad, Handwara, and Qayoom Najar of Batapora, Sopore, were eliminated in encounters with security forces. Three others — Javid Ahmad Mattoo of Sopore, Rouf Najar of Sopore, and Ahmadullah Malla of Dalal Mohalla, Srinagar — have been arrested and are currently facing trial.
What the Red Corner Notice Means
An Interpol Red Corner Notice requests law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate, detain, and initiate legal proceedings for the extradition of the named individual. For SIA Kashmir, securing this notice against a fugitive believed to be sheltering in Pakistan is a significant operational step, signalling the agency's growing capability to pursue terror suspects across international jurisdictions. Notably, this is part of a broader pattern of Indian agencies increasingly leveraging global policing mechanisms against Pakistan-based militants.
What Happens Next
The RCN will now enable international law enforcement agencies to locate and detain Kandoo with a view to extraditing him to India to face trial. SIA Kashmir has stated it remains committed to dismantling terrorist ecosystems and pursuing absconding accused through all available legal and international mechanisms.
Point of View
But its real-world impact depends entirely on Pakistan's willingness to cooperate — a variable that has historically been near zero in terror extradition cases. India has secured similar notices against Pakistan-based militants before, and most remain fugitives. The SIA's investigation is thorough; the accountability gap lies not in Indian law enforcement but in the diplomatic and legal dead-end that Pakistan's harbour of designated terrorists represents. Until that structural reality changes, the RCN risks being a legal milestone without an operational conclusion.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Interpol Red Corner Notice secured by SIA Kashmir?
An Interpol Red Corner Notice is an international alert requesting law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate, detain, and facilitate the extradition of a named fugitive. SIA Kashmir secured one against Hizbul Mujahideen commander Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo in connection with the 2013 Hygam terror attack in Sopore, which killed four J&K Police personnel.
Who is Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo and why is he wanted?
Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo is a Hizbul Mujahideen commander from Kraltang, Sopore, who has been active since 2010 and was designated an Individual Terrorist by the Government of India in October 2022. He is the main accused in the April 2013 Hygam ambush and is reportedly wanted in at least ten other terror-related cases linked to more than 15 deaths, arms smuggling, and narco-terror financing.
What happened in the 2013 Hygam, Sopore terror attack?
On 26 April 2013, terrorists armed with automatic weapons ambushed a police party at Peer Mohalla, Hygam, in the Sopore sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir, killing four J&K Police personnel. It was considered one of the most serious strikes against security forces during that period.
What is the current status of the other accused in the case?
Of the six accused, two — Tariq Ahmad Mir and Qayoom Najar — were killed in encounters with security forces. Three others — Javid Ahmad Mattoo, Rouf Najar, and Ahmadullah Malla — have been arrested and are currently facing trial. Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo remains at large and is believed to be in Pakistan.
What happens now that the Red Corner Notice has been issued?
The notice enables international law enforcement agencies to locate and detain Kandoo with a view to extraditing him to India for trial. SIA Kashmir has stated it will continue pursuing him through all available legal and international mechanisms.
