Two top commanders among 4 killed, RDX recovered in J and K

Srinagar, Aug 27 (UNI) Two top commanders of Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were among five people killed while security forces arrested two ultras and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, including RDX, grenades and mines in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and 2 Para launched a joint operation at a Lolab valley village in the frontier district of Kupwara. During the operation an encounter ensued in which three militants of LeT were killed.

A defence ministry spokesman told UNI that one of the slain militant was identified as Umar Khalid a self styled District Commander. The other two were identified as Chacha and Ahsanullah.

Three AK rifles, 11 magzines,four hand grenades, 108 rounds of ammunition, seven Remote Control Devices, 11 detonators, three wireless sets, one mobile phone and one pistol were recovered from the slain militants.

The spokesman said security forces and police in a joint operation at Chukan near Bhimdassa in Ramban district killed one operational commander of HM Ajaz Ahmad Alias Qari. One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant.

Superintendent of Police (SP), Handwara, Dr Haseeb Mughal said acting on specific information, a special Naka was established at Salganzer Zachaldara in the frontier district of Kupwara.

Police noticed one person moving in suspicious circumstances, he said. He was detained and three UBGL grenades and two Anti-Personnel Mine (APM) were recovered from his possession. The man was identified as Mohammad Iqbal Wagay.

Wagay had concealed the grenades and mines in a Boot pack, Dr Mughal said, adding during the questioning, he admitted that he was working for Al-Badr and was given the task to take the consignment from Kulgam to Rajwar.

He had earlier visited Bowan, Khaipora and Wadder areas of Rajwar thrice in last month.

The spokesman said security forces arrested a militant of HM along with some arms and ammunition at Kishtwar. The militant was involved in the killing of a Special Police Officer (SPO) and other militancy related incidents.

Security forces busted two hideouts and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 8 kg three IEDs, one pistol, one APM, two hand grenades, three kg RDX, three UBGL grenades, one wireless set and 15 fuese in Rajouri district. However, no one was arrested, he said.

UNI