Two Hizbul militants killed, third caught alive

Two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants were killed and one was caught alive during an overnight encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of south Kashmir during wee hours of Monday.

Sources said based on a specific input about the presence of the militants, Army's Rashtriya Rifles troops and special operations group (SOG) of J&K police started a search and cordon operation in Khudwani area of Kulgam, 65 km from here, on Sunday evening.

“As the security forces intensified the search operation, the militants hiding in the area opened fire triggering off an encounter. The operation was halted for the night. Early in the morning the gun battle resumed in which two local militants were killed while the third one was captured alive,” they said.

The slain militants were identified as Dawood Illahi and Sayar Wani, both residents of Kulgam and affiliated with Hizbul. Police said two weapons were recovered from the encounter site.

The arrested militants were identified as Arif Sofi and a pistol has been recovered from his possession, they said. The arrest of a militant during a gun fight is rare. On Sunday had two local Hizbul militants were killed in an overnight encounter in neighbouring Shopian district.

Over 140 militants, including top commanders Sabzar Bhat, Junaid Matoo, Ayoub Lelhari, Bashir Lashkari, Abu Dujana and Mehmood Gaznavi, have been killed by the security forces this year, which is highest in the last eight years. The security forces are going after militants as part of operation "hunt down" and on the basis of a “hit list” of militants.

Recently reports had emerged that majority of Hizbul and Lashkar-e-Toiba militants have gone into hiding in the upper reaches of south Kashmir. Recently Hizbul had also reportedly asked its cadres not to use cell phones, that over the years have proved fatal for militants operating in Kashmir.