Top Hizb commander among 3 militants killed in Anantnag
Masood Ahmad Bhat was the last surviving Hizbul militant in Doda, say police; 46 militants killed in Kashmir in June
SRINAGAR: Three militants, including a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander from Doda district, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday, police said.
J&K director general of police Dilbag Singh said the slain commander identified as Masood Ahmad Bhat was the last surviving Hizbul Mujahideen militant in Doda district. “After his killing, the district has become miltancy-free,” he said.
This month, 46 militants have been killed in Kashmir so far.
A police spokesperson said two terrorists of the Lashkar-eTaiba were also gunned down by the forces along with Masood in a joint operation by the police, army’s 19RR and the CRPF in Anantnag’s Khulchohar area.
“During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the security forces, who retaliated leading to an encounter. Three terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the encounter site,” the spokesperson said, adding that the other two militants have not been identified.
The bodies have been sent to Handwara for last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities including collection of their DNA.
“In case any family claims the slain terrorists to be their kith or kin, they can come forward for identification and participation in last rites at Handwara,” the spokesperson said.
Inspector general of police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said no collateral damage occurred as the troops exercised maximum restraint.
Security forces have stepped up the operations in Kashmir and more than 100 militants have been gunned down in search operations this year.