Two HM commanders killed in Doda

Jammu, Feb 24 (UNI) Two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commanders were killed in an encounter with security forces, while another militant was arrested in Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district, according to official sources today.

Acting on a tip-off that three HM militants were hiding at Koshal, a joint team of police alongwith the Army and CRPF launched a 'seek and destroy' operation in the village yesterday.

In the operation, the troops arrested a top HM militant Mushtaq Zubair yesterday, while the other two fled and took shelter in the house of one Bhat, the sources added.

Sources said when the militants were challenged, they opened fire and in the ensuing gunbattle, which lasted over 24 hours, both the militants were killed.

The operation was personally supervised by SP of Kishtwar, Pankaj Maggoo.

The slain militants were identified as HM district commander Rafiq Khandey and Tehsil Commander Mohammad Ashraf. Two AK rifles and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from them.

Sources said Khandey, who was active for the past 14 years, was involved in several killings, besides attacks on security forces, in and around Kishtwar.

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