Top Hizbul militant killed in Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR - Two guerrillas, including the self-styled south Kashmir divisional commander of Hizbul Mujaheedin, were killed in a fierce gunfight in the forested area of Shopian district Friday, police said.

A senior police officer said troops of 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and special operations group (SOG) of the state police surrounded the forested area near village Tharina Keller, 65 km from here in Shopian district this (Friday) afternoon.

“The two militants, including the Hizbul Mujaheedin divisional commander identified as Fayaz Peer, were challenged to surrender upon which they opened fire, resulting in a gunfight. It ended after both the militants were killed this (Friday) evening,” the officer told IANS.

He said Peer was a wanted guerrilla involved in several militancy-related incidents in the area. The other slain militant is stated to be a foreigner.

Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the two slain guerrillas, the officer added.

Meanwhile, life in north Kashmir’s Sopore town, 54 km from here, continued to remain paralysed for the third day running in view of a shutdown .

Sopore town has been tense since Tuesday following the drowning of a youth in river Jhelum. The locals alleged that the youth, Zubair Ahmad Bhat jumped into the river Jhelum that passes through town after being chased by the security forces who were trying to quell protests in the town.