HM top commander among two militants killed in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 2 (UNI) Security forces today killed two militants, including a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), in south Kashmir.

However, three security agencies who carried out the operation and gunned down two militants gave different version about the encounter.

A CRPF spokesman told UNI that troops of 53 BSF, 42 RR and 54 CRPF launched a joint operation in the forests at Kamala in Tral area of south Kashmir today.

He said two militants Rashid Ahmad Bhat and Nazir Ahmad were killed when an IED they were preparing exploded.

The spokesman said massive search in the area was still going on as there are reports that three more militants are hiding in the forest area.

A defence ministry spokesman said mobile check post at Buts, Tral signalled a Tata vehicle at 0430 hours to stop. However, the vehicle did not stop and militants from the vehicle opened fire. The fire was returned by the security forces and the vehicle stopped at a distance.

He said two militants who were in the vehicle started running while firing on troops.

Later, two bodies of militants were recovered from the area.

However, BSF said that there was a specific information about the militant movement in village Kamal Goshu, Tral.

He said an encounter took place during the operation in which two militants, including a battalion commander of HM Irshad Ahmad alias Tufail were killed.

UNI BAS MSJ RN1430