Top HM commander, soldier among 4 killed, blast on highway in J

Srinagar, Apr 2 (UNI) A top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and a soldier of Rashtriya Rifles were among four people killed in the state overnight while a blast took place on Srinagar-Jammu national highway Official sources said police launched a swift search operation on a tip off that some top militants were hiding at Soapshali in south Kashmir district of Anantnag this afternoon.

However, when police personnel were sealing the area, militants opened fire. In the ensuing encounter, an HM commander identified as Hussain Reshi alias Umair was killed. One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant who was wanted in different militancy related incidents.

The militant was carrying a reward on his head, they said adding he was involved in a number of civilian killings and attacks on security forces in the south Kashmir.

Sources said a fierce gun fight between militants and security forces in north Kashmir's Bandipora area since last evening continued throughout the night.

The encounter ensued after militants attacked a security force search party at village Haripora, about 55 km from here.

The entire area remained under cordon after reinforcement was rushed to the area from nearby camps.

Sources said a house from where the militants were firing on security forces was damaged in the encounter.

They said no body was recovered from under the debris. The militants had managed to escape from the cordoned off area before the house was damaged Locals alleged security forces blasted the house early this morning to kill the militants.

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