Three Hizbul terrorists killed in J&K

Three separatist terrorists of the Hizbul Mujaheedin (HM) were killed in two gunfights in south Kashmir on Thursday.

Police said Army troops and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir police in a joint operation killed a top HM guerrilla in Matibugh Kulgam village, 80 kms from Srinagar in Kulgam district.

"The village was surrounded last night on specific information about the presence of a group of terrorists. This morning, when the terrorists were trying to leave the village, which was cordoned off, one terrorist was killed. He has been identified as Sabzar Ahmed Malik alias Muzamil, battalion commander of HM," a police spokesman in Srinagar said.

"It is a big jolt to the HM in south Kashmir, as the terrorist was an IED expert, and was wanted in more than half a dozen cases. One AK rifle, four magazines and some mobile phones in broken condition were recovered from him."

Another joint operation was launched by troops of 42 Rashtriya Rifles and police based on specific information in Madoora village near Tral town, 45 kms from Srinagar in Pulwama district.

"Terrorists opened fire on troops. The fire was effectively retaliated leading to the killing of two terrorists. The identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained. Two AK-47 rifles and other war-like stores were recovered," a defence spokesman in Srinagar said.