Two militants among 3 killed, Hizb commander held in J

Srinagar, Nov 19 (UNI) Two Al-Badr militants were among three people killed while a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander was arrested even as ultras triggered a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, an official spokesman said today.

Acting on a tip off, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Pulwama, Nitesh Kumar said the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the police and 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation at Chitragam village in Zainpora area of Shopian district today.

When the security forces were sealing the village, militants opened fire on them, which was returned. In the ensuing gun-battle, two militants Gulzar Ahmad Chopan and Sajjad Ahmed Bhat of the Al-Badr outfit were killed, he added.

One AK rifle, five grenade launchers, one wireless set and five magazines were seized from the possession of slain militants.

Militants today shot dead Zahoor Din at Gunduna in Doda district of Jammu region.

In a major breakthrough, the spokesman said the police today arrested a self-styled district commander and one of the most wanted militants of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

The arrested militant has been identified as Tariq Ahmad Lone alias Gowhar, he added.

On specific information, the spokesman said the police raided the house of Nazir Ahmed Bhat at Nanil in Anantnag district and apprehended the militant, involved in many civilian killings and IED blasts, along with one AK rifle, four magazines, 100 rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades.

''Lone is wanted in number of cases, including murder, along with his associates Ghulam Mohammad Lone and Bashir Ahmad Rather.'' Police said suspected militants triggered a powerful IED blast near Puhroo bridge in Handwara area of north Kashmir's border district of Kupwara today when a vehicle carrying security personnel was passing through the area.

The IED went off without causing any damage, police said, adding the security forces later launched a search operation to nab the militants responsible for the blast.

Security forces seized one IED box, one under barrel grenade launcher grenade, three ponchos, one wireless set, six rucksack and some administrative stores from a militant hideout at Chuntimul in north Kashmir Baramulla district last night.

A UNI report from Jammu, quoting a BSF spokesman, said two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested while trying to cross over to Pakistan from the international border in the R S Pura sector in Jammu region today.

The two were trying to exfiltrate to Pakistan when the personnel of the BSF's 129 battalion intercepted them near zero line on the IB at Nawapind border outpost.

They were identified as Abdul Malik and Shafiq Mian, both residents of Rukanpur village in Habibgunj district of Bangladesh.

Official sources said two Chinese hand grenades, an IED and other explosives were seized from bordering village of Darhal in Rajouri district of Jammu region.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen forcibly entered the house of Dr R L Dhar at Jammu and decamped with five sets of gold ornaments, one gold chain, one cellphone and Rs 2500 in cash from his tenant Rajinder Singh.

UNI