Dreaded Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed in gun battle

A dreaded Hizbul Mujahideen militant was today killed in a fierce gun battle with security forces in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, a senior police officer said.

The militant was killed in a 12-hour-long gun battle at village Abhama, 60 km from here, after he refused to surrender, senior superintendent of police, Pulwama, Kifayat Haider said.

"The operation is over.... We could not locate any other associate of the slain militant as was presumed earlier," Haider said, and ruled out escape of any militant from the area which was cordoned off.

Police, assisted by the army, cordoned off village Abhama-Keller, 60 km from here, yesterday to flush out the two Hizbul militants hiding in a house of Abdul Hamid Sheikh.

An AK rifle and some ammunition were recovered from the possession of the slain militant, he said.   

Riyaz Ahmad Deedad was allegedly involved in the recent killing of two persons in Keller belt. He was also wanted in connection with the murder of three civilians, including a mother-child duo, in Pulwama and Shopian area.

Describing the killing of the Hizbul Mujahideen ultra as a "major breakthrough", the SSP said Deedad was one of the most wanted militants of the outfit.

"Deedad's two other associates were killed by the security forces in an encounter last year. However, he managed to escape, and was coordinating the activities of the outfit in the area," Haider said.