Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 17: Security forces today killed two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen in Pattan area of North Kashmir after a brief encounter.
A police spokesman said here that two militants were killed in an encounter by police and 29 Rashtriya Rifles of Army at village Goshbugh in Pattan area of District Bandipora. “Their identity is being ascertained”, he added.
Sources said that one AK rifle, one pistol and two magazines were recovered from the possession of the militants.
The militants have been identified as Aqib Rashid son of Abdul Rashid Sofi of Palhalan Pattan and Bilal Ahmad of Palhalan in Pattan area of district Baramulla.
Aaqib Rashid Sofi is believed to have recently joined Hizbul Mujahideen after its commander Hilal Molvi was killed in Srinagar in May this year in Srinagar while Bilal Ahmad had joined hardly few weeks before.
The two were killed in the premises of Goshbugh Higher Secondary School tonight by a joint team of Pattan police and 29 RR of Army.
It may be mentioned here that the Jammu and Kashmir police had sought people’s help for providing information regarding top Hizbul Mujahideen militants last week.
Police through posters had announced cash rewards and Government jobs for those who will be provide information about any member of 7 Hizbul Mujahideen militants.
Those whose names and pictures appeared in posters and are wanted by police included Aiqb Rashid, who was killed tonight.
The others are Nasir Ahmad Dar alias Usman son of Ghulam Mohidin Dar of Saidpora, Sopore; Imtiaz Ahmad Kandu alias Fayaz son of Abdul Khaliq of Kral Teng Sopore; Tariq Ahmad Mir alias Zahid son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Aadoora Qalamabad; Javed Ahmad Mattoo son of Abdul Gani Mattoo of Khushal Matoo, Sopore; Mehrajudin Halvai son of Abdul Khaliq Halvai of Khushal Matoo, Sopore and Perwiaz Ahmad Wani son of Sanaullah Wani of Gullora, Langate Handwara.
People in Palhalan in Pattan area of Baramulla have come out on roads in protest against the killing of the two militants. They alleged that the duo were first arrested and then killed.
Palhalan area is said to be militancy infested and over the years it has been worst affected by protests and strikes. The area is said to be stronghold of Hizbul Mujahideen.
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