Escape of HM commander will not effect peaceful poll: DIG

Srinagar, Nov 5 (UNI) The escape of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant from police custody at Pulwama yesterday will not effect the peaceful conduct of elections in the Kashmir valley, a senior police officer said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) Niyaz Mehmood said a case has been registered against the escape of HM militant Rayees Ahmad Dar alias Kachroo from Pulwama court where he was being produced in a case.

Mr Mehmood said negligence and lapse has also been mentioned in the FIR.

However, he did not mention about the arrest of any police personnel.

He said a massive hunt has been launched and several suspected hideouts were raided during the past 24 hours.

He added that the escape of militant will not effect the peaceful process of elections as they were deploying security forces entirely meant for the poll process.

Rayees, a self-styled division commander of HM who was arrested in Srinagar and lodged in Central jail, was being produced in the court at Pulwama when he snatched a pistol from a police personnel.

He shot at and injured a police personnel before escaping, he said.

UNI BAS GL BST2010