Srinagar, Jan 20 (UNI) Three Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants, including a top commander and police deserter, were on Monday killed in an encounter which ensued when a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by security forces in south Kashmir district of Shopian.

J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said that a successful operation was conducted by security forces that led to the elimination of three militants, including a top HM commander, who was involved in the killing of eight people, including four civilians and as many policemen.

He said the killing of this group will help in bringing closure to the families of civilians and policemen.

Answering a question whether it was difficult to kill one of their own (a deserter), he said anyone who breaks the law will be dealt accordingly.

Giving details during a press conference here on Monday about the encounter, he said following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Groups (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at Wachi in Shopian on Monday morning.

He said as the forces were sealing a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons. “The security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter,” he added.

The DGP said three militants were killed in the exchange of fire, adding huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site.

He said that slain militants have been identified as Waseem Wani, a top HM commander, Adil Sheikh, a police deserter and Jahingir.

He said that Sheikh was responsible for looting eight weapons, including seven AK47 rifles and a pistol, from the residence of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Ajaz Mir from Jawahar Nagar in Srinagar on September 29, 2018.

Mr Singh said Waseem was an active militant since 2017 and was involved in many militancy related cases. “19 FIRs have been registered against him, including killing of four civilians and as many policemen,” he said.

He further said that Sheikh was also involved in the killing of the civilians.
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