Hizbul militant killed in encounter in Bhaderwah

Jammu, Jun 3: Security forces gunned downed an area commander of Hizb-ul-mujahideen in the upper reaches of Thanala area of Bhaderwah in Doda district of Jammu region early today.

The spokesperson of 16 corps of Army Col. D.K. Badola told UNI that troops of four Rashtriya Rifles and special task force of Police on a tip off launched a joint search operation for militants in the area. As they were nearing the hideout, the militants started firing indiscriminatly at them. In the ensuing encounter a militant was killed.

He was indentified as Iftikar Kellu alias Ghaznavi, a Tehsil commander of HM.

One AK 47 rifle, two magazines and 60 rounds were recovered from him.

Reports from Bhaderwah said there were three militants. One of them was killed while the other two fled in the cover of darkness. A search operation was on to nab them.

Sources said the militants were active in the area for the last three years. They were involved in the abduction of a villager Tarik Chhan and beheading him later.

UNI