Holed up 4 HM, Albadr militants killed, another captured in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 29 (UNI) All the four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Albadr, who were holed up in a house since last evening, were killed by security forces early this morning, a police spokesman said.

He said with the first light this morning, security forces launched a major offensive and killed all the holed up militants in village Saidapora in south Kashmir district of Shopian.

The slain militants were identified as Riyaz Ahmed Thokar alias Abu Jihad, Siyar Ahmed Thokar and Iqbal all belonging to HM and Siyar Ahmed Bhat of Albadr.

Giving details about the operation, he said Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and troops of 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint search at village Saidpora after receiving a tip-off about the presence of militants there.

He said when the area was being sealed, militants hiding in the house of one Mohammad Shaban Sheikh opened fire. Reinforcement was rushed to the area and the cordon around the particular house was further tightened after inmates of nearby houses were taken to safer place.

Militants were repeatedly asked to surrender, who were firing and hurling grenades on security forces from inside the house.

However, the operation was suspended because of darkness late in the night. This morning the encounter again ensued when security forces made an attempt to enter the house.

Finally all the militants were killed, he said adding four AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

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