In a significant breakthrough in its sustained counter-terrorism efforts, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against designated Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, also known as Fayaz or Sajad. The notice has been issued in connection with the 2013 Tarzoo terror attack case and marks an important step in the agency’s efforts to bring the absconding militant to justice.
The case relates to a terrorist ambush carried out on April 26, 2013, at Peer Mohalla in the Hygam area of Sopore in north Kashmir. Heavily armed terrorists attacked a police party, resulting in the martyrdom of four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel. The incident was one of the serious terrorist strikes against security forces in the region during that period. The case was initially registered at Police Station Tarzoo in Sopore and was transferred to SIA Kashmir in 2024 for a comprehensive investigation.
SIA Kashmir Secures Interpol Red Corner Notice Against Hizbul Mujahideen Terrorist in 2013 Tarzoo Terror Attack Case pic.twitter.com/J6Zjj4k0zB
— SIA Jammu and Kashmir (@SIAJKPolice) July 11, 2026
Following an extensive probe that involved meticulous collection and analysis of evidence, examination of witnesses and reconstruction of the conspiracy, the SIA completed its investigation and filed a chargesheet in July 2024 against six accused persons before the competent trial court. During the course of the investigation and subsequent operations, 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, Rouf Najar of Sopore and Ahmduallah Malla of Dalal Mohalla, Srinagar, have been arrested and are facing trial.
The main accused, Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, a resident of Kraltang in Sopore, remains absconding and is believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan. He has been an active member and commander of the proscribed terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen since 2010. The Government of India notified him as a Designated Individual Terrorist in October 2022.
The SIA investigation has established his pivotal role in the Hygam attack as well as his involvement in a wider network of terrorist activities. Besides the present case, he is wanted in at least ten other terror-related cases involving terrorist attacks, targeted killings that resulted in the deaths of more than 15 persons, smuggling of arms and ammunition, and narco-terror financing.
The issuance of the Interpol Red Corner Notice will facilitate international law enforcement agencies in locating, detaining and initiating legal proceedings for the extradition of the accused to India to face trial. According to the official statement, the development reflects the SIA’s growing capability in conducting complex terror investigations, pursuing fugitives across international jurisdictions and leveraging global policing mechanisms.
The agency has also released photographs of the wanted terrorist to aid in his identification. SIA Kashmir remains committed to dismantling terrorist ecosystems, pursuing absconding terrorists and their support networks, and ensuring that those responsible for acts of terror are brought to justice through all available legal and international mechanisms.
