HM top commander, soldier killed, 5 exfiltrators arrested in J

Srinagar, May 5 (UNI) A top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander and a soldier of 23 Punjab regiment were killed while five exfiltrators were arrested and a major tragedy was averted when explosive devices were recovered from a bus in Jammu and Kashmir.

A police spokesman said security forces and Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at Keller in Anantnag district of South Kashmir after receiving a tip-off that some militants were hiding there.

He said 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.

Saifullah, a militant 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.

The spokesman 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.

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