Hizb ''commander'' among 3 ultras killed in gunbattle in J

Jammu, Feb 8 (PTI) Three top militants includinga self-styled divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahideen werekilled in a fierce gunbattle with security forces in Rambandistrict of Jammu and Kashmir.

The slain militants have been identified as Hizb"commander" Abdul Rashid Naik alias Kari Zubair, Nisar Ambedalias Mansoor and Mustaq Ahmed, police said.

Kari, who had joined militant ranks in 2001, hadescaped during three encounter in the last six months inRamban district and was one of the most dreaded ultras.

Acting on a tip off, the troops had launched anoperation near Jammu-Srinagar National at Manjote-Nachlanabelt, 150 kms from here, Deputy Inspector General (DIG)Maneesh Sinha told PTI.

The gunbattle broke out between the militants and thesecurity forces this morning. The three militants were killedin the enounter which lasted for several hours, army officerof 16 Corps Colonel A Arora said.

Three AK rifles and a large quantity of ammunition andexplosive material were seized.