Top HM commander, 5 militants and a soldier among 8 killed in J

Srinagar, Feb 24 (UNI) Six militants, including a top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander and a soldier were among eight people killed in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said security forces killed three HM militants, including a Deputy Commander at Kashal sector last night.

He said one Special Police Officer (SPO) was also injured in the encounter.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir K Rajinder Kumar told UNI that troops of 5 Jat Battalion and 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation at village Aragam in Bandipora, about 55 km from here, last evening after receiving specific information that militants were hiding there.

He said when the troops were sealing the area militants attacked them with automatic weapons and grenades. Troops retaliated the and in the ensuing clash till 2400 hrs; three top militants were killed.

Mr Kumar said a rocket accidentally hit a house, killing a woman Sara Begum.

Two soldiers were also critically wounded in the incident. The injured were admitted to hospital where one of them died, he said.

Mr Kumar said three AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

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