Kashmir Valley’s notorious counter-insurgent of yesteryears, Abdul Rashid Parray alias Rashid Billa, was killed by suspected militants in Bandipora district on Sunday night.
According to local daily Greater Kashmir , Billa was shot dead inside his home in Hajin area. The daily reported that "militants barged into Billa’s home and opened indiscriminate fire, killing him on the spot" on Sunday night.
Billa was among big names of counter-insurgents, who were provided official patronage, in 1990s to stop the surge of militancy in north Kashmir, especially Hizbul Mujahideen.
Billa along with two associates Wali Mohammad Mir and Mohammad Ayoub Dar, then working for the Army, are accused of killing seven civilians of three families, including women, on October 5, 1996 in Sadrakoot.
On March 22 last year, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had asked the police to arrest Billa in the case and ordered seizure of his property. However, the police failed to arrest him and declared him as absconding.
