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Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander killed in Kashmir

Last updated on: June 27, 2011 11:59 IST

A top Hizbul Mujahideen commander was among two militants killed in a fierce gunfight in south Kashmir area of Tral on Monday morning. An army officer was also wounded in the gunfight.

A senior police officer said that troops of counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles and police carried out a joint operation after receiving specific information about militants being holed up inside a house in Shikargrah area of Tral.

"The militants opened fire at security forces, who had surrounded the house, after they were challenged to surrender. This led to a gunfight at the end of which a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, identified as Muzaffar Malla, and his associate Suhail Khan were killed", the officer said.

He said the house that the militants were hiding in was destroyed in the gunfight.

"Arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. Searches in the area are still continuing", he added.

The injured army officer was shifted to hospital for treatment.

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar