Top commander, deserter cop among 3 Hizbul militants killed

SRINAGAR: In a major success, three Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a police deserter and a top-ranking commander, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district on Monday, with the police chief claiming the militancy in south Kashmir approaching its end.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Wacchi area of Shopian following information about presence of militants there.
“The militants were asked to surrender but they chose to open fire towards security forces' positions. In the ensuing encounter, three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed," a police spokesman said.
One of the slain militants was identified as Adil Bashir Sheikh resident of Zainapora Shopian, a special police officer who had deserted the force in 2018 and responsible for deaths of 7 persons.
He had decamped with seven AK assault rifles and a pistol from the official residence of then Wachi MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir from Jawahar Nagar area in the city.
“He was part of groups involved in killing of civilian Nadeem Manzoor at Safnagri, killing of four policemen at guard post in Zainapora, killing of 2 civilians Ilyas Khan & Zahid Khan at Chittragam Shopian and killing of civilian Irfan Hamid Lone of Zainapora,” the spokesman said.
Several other terror crime cases were also registered against him including case FIR numbers 12/2019, 23/2019, 25/2019, 27/2019, 39/2019, 49/2019, 56/2019, 61/2019, 62/2019, 01/2020 of PS Zainapora.
The other two militants were identified as Waseem Ahmad Wani resident of Wurpora Nagbal Shopian, and Hidayatullah Malik resident of Sharadpora Shopian.
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said Wani was one of the top-ranking commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen. He was involved in 19 cases, including killings of four civilians and as many policemen since 2017.
Hidayatullah Malik as per police records was also involved in terror attacks and other crimes in the area.
Terming the killing of the three militants a major success, the DGP said Hizbul Mujahideen is on the "verge of elimination" in south Kashmir.
The police force has made a successful start to 2020, he told reporters.
“The operations have been successful due to increased movement of security forces following leads provided by militants arrested along with Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh, now suspended, on January 11,” he added.
Singh said the elimination of this group of militants will remove fear from the minds of people in Shopian and bring closure to the kin of their victims.
Incriminating material including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.