Top HUM commander among three people killed in J and K

Srinagar, Jan 20 (UNI) A top commander of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) were among three people killed while security forces recovered a mortar shell and other arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda Manohar Singh told UNI that army and Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at village Nali Dolu in Doda district early this morning following a tip-off that some top militants were hiding there.

He said when the area was being cordoned off militants opened fire and also hurled hand grenades. The fire was returned and in the fierce clash two A-graded militants of HuM, including its 'divisonal commander' Noor Mohammad alias Ansari and 'area commander' Mohammad Ashraf alias Gauri, were eliminated.

He said two AK rifles, two magazines and a large quantity of incriminating material were recovered from the slain militants.

The SSP said the militants were active for the last eight years and were involved in many militancy related crimes.

An STF jawan of the police was also injured in the encounter.

Official sources said body of one Zahoor Ahmad Baba was fished out from Sindh Nullah in Parang today.

An official spokesman said police recovered 47 rounds of ammunition one kgs explosive, two bundles of wire and six pencil cells in the Beli Charana area, Satwari.

A mortar shell placed on a tree was detected by Police at Soonimarg forests, which was defused by the Bomb Disposal squad without causing any damage.

UNI