And all that’s definitely known about him is that he has a massive build—he is said to be 6.5 ft tall, with a size 14 in shoes—and lives in the Bandipore jungles.

There’s a Rs 5-lakh state bounty for information leading to his arrest, but little chance it will be claimed anytime soon. More than six years after he showed up on the security radar as an LeT commander of prominence, his real name and origin continue to elude intelligence officials.

One reason is his constant mobility. He is said to be switching base constantly, but never moves out of the dense forest areas of North Kashmir, which is connected through hills with the Line of Control on the north and Srinagar on the south.

Security agencies agree that this militant commander is educated and has substantial experience in guerrilla warfare. They trace the origin of almost all Fidayeen attacks across Kashmir to his forest hideaways.

Bilal was in the news recently following the death of a Lieutenant Colonel in Lashkar hands in Bandipore. A few days later, Bilal, accompanied by dozens of his men, reportedly appeared in Sumlar village—just 200 metres away from an army camp—gathered the villagers and addressed them.

His audacity has been evident earlier. Security agencies believe Bilal has been successful in breaking into elected municipal committees across the valley and clandestinely recruiting several councillors and corporators for the militant ranks.

The Army has conducted special operations in Bandipore with an aim to trace Bilal but as failed despite two major encounters with the militants recently.