Pakistani infiltrator, top Hizb commander killed in J

Srinagar, Jan 26 (UNI) A top commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen and a Pakistani infiltrator were killed while security forces seized a large cache of arms and ammunition, including RDX, in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, an official spokesman said today.

Security forces killed a district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen at Kachwan forests in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district early today.

Identified as Mohammad Sharief Khan alias Peerbaba Khan, the Hizb commander was active in the area since 1992 and involved in several killings and landmine blasts, he added.

An AK rifle, two magazines and 50 rounds were seized from his possession. the spokesman said and termed Khan's killing on the Republic Day as a ''big success and tremendous blow'' to the Hizbul Mujahideen.

The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an infiltration bid when they gunned down a militant at Garoda in Kanachak sector of Jammu district late last night.

He said BSF personnel noticed some suspicious movement along the international border in the Kanachak sector.

When challenged, the militants opened heavy fire on troops which was retaliated. In the fierce gunfight, one militant was killed.

The spokesman said security forces seized three kg of RDX, ten hand grenades, two pistols, one AK rifle, four magazines and 80 rounds of ammunition at the Chankas Post near the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district last night during a search operation.

He said three 12 bore guns, three hand grenades and ten rounds of ammunition were seized from the house of Mohammad Shaban at Bugrane Saroor in Kishtwar area of Doda district last evening.

Unknown persons today kidnapped Shabir Ahmad Wani from his house at Hanjivera in Pattan, he added.

UNI