Hizb commander among 2 militants killed in Pulwama
OVERNIGHT OP Were locals who were active for past many months
SRINAGAR: Two militants, including a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, were killed in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district in an overnight operation launched by security forces.
The militants have been identified as locals — Irfan Ahmad Sheikh and Irfan Ahmad Rather — who were active in the area for past many months.
Police and army’s Rashtriya Rifles had on Monday evening launched an operation in Pachara Drabgam village after they received an input about militant presence.
While one militant was killed in night, another was shot down on Tuesday morning following an overnight operation.
Locals, however, said that two militants were travelling in a carrier and on seeing the army, fled towards some apple orchards.
The army and police later cordoned off the village, triggering an encounter wherein one militant was neutralised late Monday night. The operation continued throughout the night.
The forces had sealed all the routes leading to the village. The second militant was killed in the morning.
A police spokesman confirmed the killing of two militants in an encounter and said the duo were gunned down by forces at Pachaar village.
“Bodies of both the militants, along with arms and ammunition, have been recovered from the encounter site,” the spokesman added.
‘A BIG SUCCESS’
Army has described the operation as a big success and said one of the militants was acting as the district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.
Irfan Ahmad Sheikh was the one currently acting as the district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. Last year, his brother was killed by unidentified persons outside his house at Naira village in Rajpora.