JK: 2 top commanders among 5 HM militants held

Srinagar, Aug 31: Two top commanders were among five militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police in the Kashmir valley.

A police spokesman said the Special Operation Group (SOG) of state police conducted a search operation in Baramulla town of north Kashmir following a tip-off about the presence of militants there.

During the operation, two top commanders of HM identified as Nazir Ahmed Patha alias Umar Gul of Gool in Udhampur district and Mohammed Shafi Kasana alias Zahid of Sangalda in Ramban were arrested.

Both of the arrested militants were ''A'' category and most wanted militants, he said adding, they were active in Gool area of Jammu division since the last ten years and had recently shifted their base to Kashmir and were planning to step up subversive network in Kashmir.

Mohammed Shafi Kasana was an associate of dreaded militant Biloo Gujjar and was wanted in many militancy related incidents.

Police arrested another two Hizb militants in Rajwar area, during random checking at bus stand of the area.

The arrest militants were identified as Javaid Ahmed Mir and Shakeel Ahmed Mir, police said, adding one pistol, eight pistol rounds and two UBGL grenades concealed in juice packs were also recovered from them.

Police also arrest a Pakistan-trained militant, Hilal Ahmed Poto alias Sohail of Lashkar-e-Toiba from Kupwara last evening. A Chinese pistol, one magazine, eight pistol rounds and a satellite phone were recovered from his possession.

UNI