2 top HM commanders among 3 ultras killed, one arrested in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 10 (UNI) A self-styled Financial Chief was among three militants killed and another arrested in the Jammu and Kashmir today.

A police spokesman said police killed a militant in an encounter at Hardshiva, Sopore, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir district of Baramulla this afternoon.

Acting on specific information about the presence of top militants, police alongwith 180 and 185 battalions of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint operation at village Noorpora, Tral, about 35 km from here in Pulwama district, Deputy Inspector General(DIG) of Police for South Kashmir, Himant Kumar said.

However, when the security forces were about to storm the house of one Firdous Ahmad, militants hiding inside opened fire. The fire was returned, he said, adding that reinforcement was rushed to the area from nearby camps.

By the dawn, security forces launched a massive offensive and killed both the militants, The DIG said.

Dar alias Hanief Khan the Finance Chief of H M was active since he joined militancy in early 90s, he said.

Dar, a local resident, was responsible for more than 20 killing since 1990, triggered a mine blast in Sonwar area and was now responsible for arranging finance for the HM.

The second slain militant was identified as Javid Ahmad Malik, also a local, who became a militant in 2001.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said Dar was also functioning as Divisional Commander of HM in south Kashmir.

This is the second major setback for HM in south Kashmir during the past three weeks. A self-styled divisional commander and four other militants were killed by security forces in Anantnag and Shopian districts recently.

The police spoksman said police and CRPF arrested a HM militant at Rajpora, Pulwama, last night.

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