Gun battle between security forces and militants today

KASHMIR: Today after an encounter that lasted for nearly two hours, security forces today killed a Hizbul Mujahideen militant in the Tral town of South Kashmir.

Also an Army jawan and a police sub-inspector also killed in the incident.

The slain militant has been identified as Sajad Ahmad Dar alias Balle Balle, a self-styled district commander of the banned outfit.

As security personnel entered the house where the ultras were hiding, they faced a volley of bullets fired by the militants.

An official informed, a sub-Inspector Norbo and an army jawan were killed in the firing.

The security forces retaliated and in the ensuing gunbattle Dar was killed.

Dar was said to be involved in the killing of National Conference leader Ghulam Mohiuddin Bhat at Pinglish in Tral on March 30.

Police and troops of the 42 Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation in the town’s Dadsar village earlier in the day following a tip-off about the presence of militants there, officials said.