Two Hizb militants neutralised in Pulwama district

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 20

In a joint operation, security forces killed two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants in an encounter at Khrew in Pampore area of Pulwama district on Friday. The slain terrorists were part of a hit squad of the terror outfit responsible for civilian killings, officials said.

A cordon-and-search operation was launched in the area following information about the presence of militants. A police spokesman said, “They were given repeated opportunities to surrender, but they fired at the security men, leading to an encounter.”

Incriminating material, arms and ammunition, including an AK-rifle and a pistol, have been seized from the encounter site.

A police spokesman identified the deceased as Musaib Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Khrew Pampore, and Muzamil Ahmad Rather, a resident of Chakoora Pulwama. As per police records, Bhat had a history of terror crime records and was involved in planning and executing several terror attacks including civilian atrocities.

“One of them was Musaib, involved in killing Javid Ahmad Malik at Lurgam. This was a hit squad of HM responsible for civilian killings in South Kashmir,” Kashmir Zone Police stated on its Twitter handle.

Rather had joined the terror ranks recently, the spokesman added.

Arms, ammunition seized from Pampore encounter scene

• Arms and ammunition, including an AK-rifle and a pistol, have been seized from the encounter site in Pampore
• The slain terrorists are Musaib Ahmad Bhat and Muzamil Ahmad Rather, both of Pulwama, say security officials.
• Bhat is said to have been involved in planning and executing several terror attacks

(With PTI inputs)