By IANS
Srinagar : Three separatist militants of the Hizbul Mujaheedin (HM) were killed in two gun fights in south Kashmir Thursday.
Police said army troops and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir police in a joint operation killed a top HM guerrilla in Matibugh Kulgam village, 80 km from here in Kulgam district.
“The village was surrounded last night on specific information about the presence of a group of militants. This morning, when the militants were trying to leave the village, which was cordoned off, one militant was killed. He has been identified as Sabzar Ahmed Malik alias Muzamil, battalion commander of HM,” a police spokesman here said.
“It is a big jolt to the HM in south Kashmir, as the militant was an IED expert, and was wanted in more than half a dozen cases. One AK rifle, four magazines and some mobile phones in broken condition were recovered from him.”
Another joint operation was launched by troops of 42 Rashtriya Rifles and police based on specific information in Madoora village near Tral town, 45 km from here in Pulwama district.
“Terrorists opened fire on troops. The fire was effectively retaliated leading to the killing of two terrorists. The identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained. Two AK-47 rifles and other war-like stores were recovered,” a defence spokesman here said.