Harkat top commander among 3 killed, hideouts busted in J

Srinagar, Feb 10 (UNI) A self-styled District Commander (DC) and a Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) militant were among the three killed in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, a defence spokesperson said.

Security forces busted three militant hideouts and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in the state.

He said troops had received information that a group of militants were present in a village at Chaki Choolan, under the jurisdiction of police station Shopian in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

The Spokesperson said troops immediately sealed the area and started the search operation. However, as the troops moved inside the village, militants opened fire and in the ensuing gun battle, two militants were killed.

A civilian, Nazir Ahmed Shah, was also killed in the encounter.

However, residents alleged the civilian was killed by the security forces.

One of the slain militants was identified as Pakistan-trained Noor Khan alias Maviah alias Bangladeshi, district commander of the HuM.

He said police and security forces had in a joint operation, busted a militant hideout in Masari forests, Kralpora and recovered 1 AK rifle, 3 magazines, 148 rounds, 1 wireless set, 16 UBGL grenades, 2 mortar shells and 1 IED.

Security forces recovered 1 UMG, 48 UMG rounds, 7 UMG belts, 105 pistol rounds, 2 rifle grenades, 2 antennas and 10 fuses during a search operation at Dhundak Surankote.

Police busted a hideout established in a natural cave at Kulharain, sector Gulpur and recovered 1 Pika gun (AK Type 7 mm), 1 Pika magazine and 8 rounds.

However, no one was arrested, they said.

UNI