What We Know About Hizbul's Burhan Wani: 10 Facts

Here is what we know about the militant

1. Burhan Wani was seen as the main draw for many young and educated boys in South Kashmir turning into terrorists in recent months.
2. He featured in videos and photos posing with weapons and taunting security forces, which were circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp in an attempt to recruit young Kashmiri men.
3. Wani was said to be an expert in using social media and delivered strong speeches.
4. He was from a well-off family in Tral in south Kashmir, not far from where he was shot dead today along with two other terrorists.
5. Wani's father is the head master at a government school in Tral
6. Wani joined the Hizbul Mujahideen at the age of 15 after his brother was allegedly assaulted by securitymen in 2010.
7. He has been described as a budding cricketer before he turned to militancy.
8. There was a 10-lakh reward for information leading to his arrest.
9. One of his brothers was killed allegedly by the Army last year when he attempted to meet Burhan in the thick Tral forests.
10. He was not said to be personally involved in attacks on security forces, but had become a big security risk as he built a large following among radicalised young Kashmiris.