HM top commander among 3 ultras held in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 12: A top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) was among three militants arrested while a police party was attacked in the Kashmir valley overnight.

Official sources said Jammu and Kashmir police and 6 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation at Handwara, 85 km from here in the frontier district of Kupwara following a tip off about militant movement.

They said a trap was laid and after a long wait near Batapora nullah, some suspicious movement was noticed.

Later a HM launching commander Javid Ahmad Sheikh was arrested alongwith one pistol, one magzine, six rounds of ammunition, RDX 300 grams, other explosive material 2 kg, one Remote Control Device, one timer and one wireless set.

The militant during the interrogation admitted that he was recruiting young innocent boys and later sending them for arms training to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

A police spokesman confirmed the arrest.

He said police and 55 RR arrested two militants Khursheed Ahmad Mir and Ajaz Ahmad at Neera in the south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

Militants attacked a police patrol party at Asthanpora, in Pulwama district last night. Police personnel also retaliated but the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

However, no one was injured in the exchange of firing.

UNI