HM top commander, a soldier killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 5: A top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander and a soldier of 23 Punjab regiment were killed in two different fierce encounter in the Kashmir valley, a police spokesman said today.

He said security forces and Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at Keller in Anantnag district of South Kashmir after receiving an information that some militants were hiding there.

When the security forces were heading towards a particular area, militants opened fire and also hurled hand grenades. Security forces also retaliated and in the fierce clash a top HM commander identified as Reyaz Ahmad Deva alias Saifullah was killed.

Spokesman said Saifullah, a listed militants involved in several militancy related incidents, was active in the south Kashmir for the past ten years. One ak rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain commander.

He said militants attacked a search party of 23 Punjab regiment at Batapora, Bandipora, in north Kashmir. Troops also retaliated and in the clash a soldier Baljit Singh was killed. Militants however, managed to escape, he said adding a massive hunt has been launched to eliminate them.

UNI