Top HM commander, soldier among five killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 23 (UNI) A top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), expert in making, planting and detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), another militants and a soldier were among five people killed in the Kashmir valley overnight, a police spokesman said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SP) Abdul Rashid said police and 42 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation at Mandoora, Tral, about 35 km from here in south Kashmir today after receiving a specific information about the presence of militants there.

He said when the security forces were about to storm a particular house militants opened fire. Exercising restrain, security forces repeatedly asked the holed up militants to surrender, who keep on firing. The security forces also retaliated and in the clash two HM militants were killed.

The slain militants were identified as Aijaz Ahmad, a commander, most wanted B category militant and Yousuf Najar alias Illiyas.

He said Ajaz was an expert in making, planting and detonating IEDs in the south Kashmir. Two Ak rifles, eight magzines and two hand grenades were recovered from the slain militant. The house in which the militants were hiding was also damaged in the shootout.

He said a group of militants fired upon a partrol party of 3 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Dadu Marhama under the police station Bijbehara during the preceeding night of July 22/23.

Two soldiers were wounded in the attack, he said adding the injured were hospitalised where one of them died.

Troops also retaliated but the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

He said dead body of a woman was recovered at Karnah while another body was recovered at Handwara.

UNI