According to details, the Jammu and Kashmir Police along with the Indian Army had launched an operation in south Kashmir after reports of militant presence in the Batkote-Sirchin forests.
New Delhi: In a joint operation of the J&K Police and the Indian Army, three militants, including a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander were killed in Pahalgam. The police said the longest surviving Hizbul commander and the two others were killed on the Amarnath Yatra route.
According to details, the Jammu and Kashmir Police along with the Indian Army had launched an operation in south Kashmir after reports of militant presence in the Batkote-Sirchin forests. Meanwhile, the militants opened fire on the forces and the encounter ensued after the police and security forces retaliated. All three militants in the forest area were shot dead after bullets flew from both sides.
While the security forces identified the commander as Mohammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Molvi, they said the identity of the two others are yet to be ascertained. Khan was a part of the list of 10 most wanted militants released last year.
Khan had joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2013 and was active in different parts of south Kashmir for the last nine years. Police sources said Khan was involved in several militant attacks and also instrumental in motivating the local youths to join the outfit. Khan was categorized as an A++ militant in the police records. While the gunbattle started in the morning, it lasted till afternoon.
After the encounter, IGP, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said, “Ashraf Molvi, one of oldest surviving #terrorist of HM #terror outfit, along with two other terrorists were killed. Successful operation on yatra route is a major success for us.”
Meanwhile, Budgam Police arrested two terrorist associates of the AGuH outfit. Incriminating materials, including a hand grenade and 25 AK-47 rounds, were recovered from them. An FIR was lodged under relevant sections at the Budgam police station.
