HuM chief killed, 3 HM ultas arrested, 40 grenades recovered in J

Srinagar, Apr 30 (UNI) A self-styled chief commander of Harkat-ul- Mujahideen (HuM) was killed, three Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants arrested and a large cache of arms and ammunition, including 40 grenades, was recovered in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

However, a release issued by police headquarters said the slain militant was a Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) commander.

Station House Officer (SHO), Sopore, said a search operation was launched at Sopore, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir following a tip-off that some militants were hiding in one of the residential quarters in old sub-district hospital.

When the police personnel were about to storm the hideout, the militants opened fire on them, and a militant was killed in the clash. He said one police jawan was also injured in the encounter.

The slain militant was identified as Sajjad Afghani, active in north Kashmir for the past one decade.

The militant was involved in a number of militancy related incidents, the spokesperson said.

One AK-74 short barrel, four magazines, 150 AK rounds and six grenades were recovered from the slain commander.

However, a press release issued by police headquarter said he was affiliated with LET.

Official sources said 17 PARA unearthed a militant hideout and recovered 20 UBGL grenades, 20 Chinese grenades and 750 AK rounds during search operations in general area of Rationpora.

They said police and 30 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) arrested an active Local Trained Militant (LTM) of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Javid Ahmad Bhat at Pringroo.

On his disclosure one 9mm pistol with a magzine, six rounds and one wireless set were recovered from his house, they said.

Police also arrested another HM militant Aijaz Ahmad Malik alias Younis alongwith one AK rifle, one magazine and 27 rounds of ammunition from Sheikh Dawood Colony Batmaloo, they said.

However, another militant Muzaffar Ahmad Dar alias Ali Ganai managed to escape during the operation, they added.

UNI BAS AM HS1722