Top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen killed in Doda

Jammu, Sep 8 (UNI) One of the most wanted militant, Hizbul Mujaheddin (HM) district commander, Irfan Ahmed Dar was today gunned down by security forces in an encounter at Behota in Marmat area of Doda district, official sources said.

Acting on a specific information received through reliable sources, regarding the movement of militants in Behota area under the jurisdiction of Doda police station, a joint search operation was launched by the troops of 10 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Doda police this morning, SSP Doda Manohar Singh said.

During the operation in Shali Nallah near Upper Behota, militants hiding in the area opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces which forced them to retaliate.

Irfan, an 'A' graded militant was the son of Rehmatullah, a resident of Behota. He was the district commander of the HM and was active since 1993. The SSP informed that the he was involved in several militancy related activities like killings, attacks on the security forces and police, robberies and extortions in Goha Marmat, Bhaderwah and Dessa.

He was trained in Pakistan and was a close associate of HM divisional commander Shakeel Ansari who was responsible for the killing of Col H K Shrawat, Commanding Officer (CO) 8 RR at Gadori.

Irfan's killing has given a serious set back to Hizbul in Doda district.

He was the incharge of Hizbul operations in the region. One AK-rifle, 3 magazines, 81 rounds, one grenade, one mobile phone and three audio cassettes were recovered from the possession of the slain militant. The operation was still on when reports last came in.

Irfan was active since 1993 and was one of the most wanted militants in the region.

UNI