9 militants, including top commanders killed in 5 days in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 3 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir police in a major offensive killed nine hardcore militants, including top commanders of Pakistan based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in the Kashmir valley during the past five days.

A police spokesman said one top commander was arrested while two others surrendered along with arms and ammunition in the valley during the period.

Though Army and CRPF also Joined Police in some operations, intelligence regarding presence of militants was exclusively generated by Kashmir police, who remained at the forefront of all operations, he claimed.

He said those killed in successful operations in north and south Kashmir, five belonged to HM and four to LeT.

Giving details about these encounter, he said on January 30, police in association with 1 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) eliminated four militants of HM in an encounter at Batpora, Malikpora Kulgam.

The slain militants included Sajad Ahmad Bhat alias Tahir Maqsood who was involved in the June 2006 killing of 6 Nepali labourers at Badroo in Anantnag.

He was active as district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and was also involved in the killings of two SPO's.

Spokesman said on January 31, Pulwama police arrested a wanted HM militant, Rameez Ahmad Ganie alias Aaqib at Zainapora area along with one AK 56 rifle and two magazines.

Rameez was wanted in different cases registered under section 392, 302 RPC.

On February 1 police Kulgam police and 1 RR killed a Battalion Commander of HM Ghulam Rahool Bhat at Tangbal Yaripora.

He was a close associate of slain HM District Commander Sajad Ahmad Bhat.

The arrested militant was involved in about a dozen cases, including triggering IED and other blasts and killing innocent people.

He said on the same day four Pakistani militants of LeT outfit, hiding in the house of Mohammed Maqbool Sheikh, were killed by police and CRPF at Rafiabad in Baramulla district.

Yesterday two HM militants surrendered before a joint Police party of Pulwama and Srinagar, after a brief encounter at Wachi Pulwama.

The surrendered militants were identified as Gulzar Ahmad Mir alias Nik Mir and Showkat Ahmed Rather alias Mustafa.

Nik Mir was the most wanted"A" category militant who was also involved in the November 10, 2006 attack on Moulvi Abdul Rashid Dawoodi. Seven people including four minors were killed and thirty three people including Moulvi Abdul Rashid Dawoodi were injured in the incident.

UNI BAS KK HT1642