Top Harkat commander among two militants killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 18 (UNI) Security forces today gunned down two top Pakistani militants, including a self-styled district commander of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen outfit, in a gun-battle in north Kashmir's Bandipora district.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dr B Srinivas said troops of 57 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), 3 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and police cordoned off Lovdara village in Bandipora district last evening.

On seeing the approaching security forces, the militants opened fire on them with automatic weapons, he added.

The fire was effectively retaliated, resulting in a fierce gunfight between the security forces and the militants.

Soon after the gun-battle resumed this morning, security forces killed two militants of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Dr Srinivas said.

A defence spokesman said the slain ultras have been identified as Zain alias Haider, a district commander of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, and Chhotu. Both them were from Pakistan, he added.

He said Zain was the top Harkat militant in Bandipora area. Two AK rifles were seized from the possession of the slain militants.

UNI