Top Hizb militant shot dead

A self-styled battalion commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Reasi district on Wednesday.

A self-styled battalion commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Reasi district on Wednesday.

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On a tip off, 61 Rashtriya Rifle, 182 BSF battalion and police launched a cordon and search operation in Kalian area of Mahore tehsil in the district around 0200 hours.

During the search, a fierce gunbattle took place in which the battalion commander Abu Haq alias Jahangir was killed.

He was active in the area since 1993.

Jahangir was involved in several killings, kidnappings and attacks on security forces, official sources said adding that he was also involved in the Prankote massacre in which 21 Hindus were killed in 2003.

An AK rifle and some ammunition were recovered from the slain militant.