SRINAGAR: A top Hizbul commander was among three militants killed in an hours-long gun-battle with security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday, army and police said.
The operation, which is still underway in Chuhar village came three days after three militants were killed in Tral town of Pulwama district.
Police identified the Hizbul commander as Masood, a resident of Doda district.
“Masood had shifted his area of operation to Kashmir,” said Dilbag Singh,
Director General of Police.
“Doda district has now become totally militancy free once again as Masood was last surviving militant of the district,” added Singh.
Two other militants slain in the firefight have been identified as Tariq Khan of Lal Chowk Anantnag and Nadeem from Kulgam, according to GNS, local news agency.
“An automatic rifle and two pistols were been recovered from the militants neutralised in operation. The operation is still in progress,” said Srinagar based defense spokesman, refering to Chuhar operation.
A joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army’s 19 RR and CRPF conducted operation in Chuhar.
At least six operational commanders among 116 militants have been killed in counter- insurgency operations so far, this year.
Longest surviving operational commander, Riyaz Naikoo of Hizbul, was killed in a gunfight in Beighipora area of Pulwama in May this year.
