Three HM militants killed in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 11 (UNI) Three Hizbul Mujahiden (HM) militants were killed in a night-long operation by Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir police and Rashitriya Rifles (RR) in south Kashmir district of Pulwama early this morning.

A police spokesman said SOG Awantipora received a tip off that some militants were hiding in a house at Naibugh, Tral, about 40 km from here in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

He said immediately SOG and RR launched a joint operation to nab the militants. However, the joint search party was about to storm a particular house of one Ghulam Mohiuddin Bhat, militants hiding inside opened fire.

He said the fire-fight continued throughout the night in which three HM were killed. Two of the slain militants were identified as Shabir Ahmad and Mohammad Altaf Khan.The identity of third militant was being ascertained, he said adding two ak rifles,8 magzines, one wireless set, two pouch,199 rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades were recovered from the slain militants.

He said the house from where the militants were firing on security forces was also damaged in the shootout.

However, locals alleged that security forces blasted the house causing extensive damage to it. There was no civilian casuality, spokesman said.

UNI