Top HM commander arrested in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir police achieved a major success when they arrested a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in south Kashmir, a senior police officer said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) S P Pani said a tip-off was received that a top HM commander was hiding in village Vessu in Qazigund.

He said immediately the area was sealed and search operation launched during which a militant Sabzar Ahmed Waza alias Basharat alias Usman was arrested.

The militant was planning to leave for Jammu, he said and described it a major catch.

He said the militant had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1992 and returned back to the valley in 2000 after receiving subversive training in different camps set up across the border.

Mr Pani said the militant was involved in many militancy-related activities.

He said on his disclosure, one pistol, one AK assualt rifle and one sniper had been recovered from a hideout.

More than a dozen top commanders of the HM were killed or arrested by the security forces in the Kashmir valley during the past one month.

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