Army major and top HM commander killed in south Kashmir encounter

Srinagar, Nov 28 (UNI) An Army Major and a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were killed in a fierce gun battle in south Kashmir early today, official sources said.

They said troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at Bijbehara, about 47 km from here in south Kashmir early this morning following information that some top militants were hidding there.

However, when the troops were about to storm a particular house they came under heavy fire from militants. The fire was returned and in the ensuing gun battle HM a divisional commander Sahil, was killed.

An Army Major also laid down his life during the clash, sources added. One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant commander.

Meanwhile, chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other senior leaders of the amalgam left for Bijbehara to participate in the funeral of HM commander.

A spokesman for the HC said the meeting of the majlis shoura, the highest decision making body of the HC, which was scheduled to be held in the day has been postponed after the killing of the HM commander.

The last one week witnessed stepped up violence in the Kashmir valley in which seven security personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and four militants were killed.

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