Hizb Commander, 4 soldiers among 10 killed in J

Srinagar, Sep 5 (UNI) A top Hizbul Mujahideen commander, who was active during the past 15 years, four soldiers and two brothers were among ten people killed in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today.

Security forces killed a self-styled district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Rafiq alias Wasim alias Bilu Gujjar, during an encounter at Manglogi village in Gool area of Udhampur district in the Jammu region early today.

An AK rifle, three magazines, 60 rounds and a satellite phone were seized from the slain militant, the spokesman said, adding Bilu Gujjar was active in the area for the past 15 years.

Militants entered the house of Sonaullah Bhat at Khaipora village in Tangmarg area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district late last night and opened indiscriminate fire on the residents.

The firing resulted in an on the spot death of his two sons Mohammad Shafi Bhat, a head constable in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, and Abdul Rashid Bhat. Security forces have launched a manhunt to nab the militants.

In another incident, the spokesman said gunmen also shot dead 19-year-old Ahsan-ul-Haq Bhat, a class 12 student, near his house at Chankhan Sopore last night.

Police arrested an upper-ground worker of the banned Lashkar-e- Toiba during a search operation at Syedpora, Sopore in north Kashmir last evening, he added.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said three Army personnel, including a Captain, and two militants were killed in more than 20-hour-long fierce gun-battle at Ayatmulla village in Bandipora area of Baramulla district yesterday.

However, a military spokesman had yesterday claimed that three militants had been killed in the encounter.

UNI AG VA KN1905