Two killed, SPO deserts in J

Srinagar, Apr 23 (UNI) Two people, including a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, were killed while a Special Police Officer (SPO) deserted and fled with arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

He said security forces shot dead a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Zabir Ahmad alias Billa alias Paswan, during an encounter at village Sharkhi under the Bhaderwah police station in Doda district of Jammu region early today.

An AK rifle, two magazines and 35 rounds were seized from the encounter site, the spokesman said, adding the slain ultra was involved in a series of crimes in the area.

Unidentified gunmen kidnapped Mushtaq Ahmad Baba from his residence at Drabgam in south Kashmir district of Pulwama late last night, he said.

Baba's bullet ridden body was recovered by the police today from Raknallah in the same area, the spokesman said, he reportedly had close links with the Hizbul Mujahideen.

In an encounter at Mamender village in Shopian area of Pulwama district last evening, security forces wounded a militant.

The injured ultra, howevver, managed to escape along with his other associates, leaving behind an AK rifle, one magazine and some rounds.

The spokesman said minor damage had been caused to an armoured vehicle of the security forces during the encounter.

Security forces seized an AK rifle, two magazines and 31 rounds from Nalian Kali Masta area in Udhampur district last evening during a search operation, he added.

Militants detonated a powerful IED at Bhat Mohalla Pattan in north Kashmir's Baramulla district last night.

However, no loss of life or property was reported.

A report from Jammu said a Special Police Officer (SPO), attached with a commando force, at Thathri in Doda district deserted his post and fled with arms and ammunition of his colleague.

Police said the deserter, indentified as Shabir Ahmed, a resident of Bani Thankel, broke open the box of his colleague Sajjad Ahmed and fled with one AK-56 rifle, three AK magazines, 90 rounds, one wireless set and two batteries.

Police have registered a case and launched a massive manhunt to nab the SPO.

UNI AG YA BST1912