By IANS,
Srinagar : Security forces gunned down three militants, including a senior commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, in a south Kashmir gun battle Monday, police said.
Divisional commander of the outfit Saqib, of Doda in Jammu division, was killed along with his two associates, Ishfaq and Riyaz, in a fierce exchange of fire in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, about 50 km from here, a police officer said.
Police, army and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint operation after they were tipped of about the presence of militants in a hideout in Kellar Mashpora village, the officer said.
The hiding militants were asked to surrender but they opened fire on the security forces and in the retaliatory action all the three militants were killed, he said.
The security forces suffered no damage and the hideout was razed in the gun battle, said the officer.