Top Hizb commander among four militants killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 9 (UNI) A top commander of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen was among four militants killed across the Kashmir valley today, police said.

Superintendent of Police Kulgam, S P Pani, said police received an information that some militants were hiding in Matibugh village of Kulgam district in south Kashmir.

Police along with the Army and the CRPF immediately conducted a search operation in the area and sealed all exit points, he said.

When the militants tried to leave the village this morning, security forces challenged them to surrender. However, the militants fired heavily on the security forces, which was retaliated by the forces.

In the ensuing encounter, Mr Pani said a self-styled battalion commander of Hizb identified as Sabzar Ahmed Malik alias Muzamil, was killed. The slain militant was an 'A' category militant and an IED expert working directly under Sajad alias Tahir Maqsood.

''It is big jolt to the Hizb in south Kashmir as the militant was an IED expert and wanted in more than half a dozen cases,'' he said.

One AK rifle, four magazines and some mobile phones in broken condition have been seized from the possession of the slain ultra.

Mr Pani further said one more militant, identified as Pintoo Rashid, has been arrested during the operation.

A police spokesman said that a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir police, the CRPF and the Army conducted a search operation at Madoora village in Tral area of south Kashmir this afternoon following a tip off.

During the operation, militants attacked the search party with automatic weapons from a vautage point. The fire was returned and in the day-long encounter, two militants were killed.

Two AK rifles, three grenades, 88 rounds and one pouch were also seized near the encounter site.

Police further said a single-storied mud houses of Ghulam Rasool Mir and Mohammed Malik were also damaged in the encounter.

Security forces shot dead another militant during an encounter in Doda district today. Some arms and ammunition were also seized from the encounter site.

UNI