Top Hizb militant killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 19 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Army today claimed to have gunned down a top Hizbul Mujahideen militant, believed to be involved in the killing of several political workers and civilians, in a joint operation near Pampore today.

An official spokesman said that police personnel and troops of 50 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), on a specific information, launched a search operation at Bathin Zantrag in Pampore area of south Kashmir district of Pulwama at 1345 hrs.

During the operation, the militants fired upon the security forces which was effectively retaliated, he added.

During the fierce gunfight, a militant, identified as Javed Ahmed Mir alias Jeja alias Absar, was killed.

Jeja, a resident of Konibal in Pampore, was a cadre of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

The spokesman said one AK-56, three magazines, 40 rounds, three hand grenades, one pouch and a mobile handset were seized from him.

He said the slain militant was involved in number of killings of civilians and political workers, including Abdul Aziz Mir, a former legislator from Pampore.

PDP Zonal President Zahoor Ahmed Hajam, PDP worker Ghulam Nabi, head constable Ghulam Rasool Jan and a woman, Shagufta alias Dazy were his other targets, the spokesman added.

He said the militant was also involved in the attack on SHO Pampore, IED blast at Wuyan causing damage to an Army vehicle and injuries to soldiers besides triggering an explosion in transmission tower at Pampore in 2005.

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