Kashmir encounter: HM militant among two killed

Srinagar, Aug 4 : A terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and a civilian were killed by security forces in an early morning encounter in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, where authorities have ordered closure of all educational institutions while suspending all train runs. A soldier of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) was also injured in the encounter, a police spokesman said today. He said that on a specific information about the presence of militants, 3 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and 40 and 90 Battalions of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint search operation at Herpora Kanelwan Karvel in Anantnag district of south Kashmir. He said during search operation, militants hiding in the area resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated ensuing an encounter. The Spokesman said at around midnight, taking advantage of darkness militants again opened fire and managed to give the forces the slip. However, the Army personnel deployed in the area retaliated fire. Later, it was learnt that one person riding a motorcycle with erased last numeral got killed in cross firing. No material leading to identity or I-card could be retrieved from the killed person. Two mobile phones were seized from the slain person. However, locals alleged that the deceased was a civilian Ghulam Mohiuddin a resident of Arwani. He said a militant of HM outfit-- Yawar Nissar Shergujri alias Algazi-- got killed in the encounter. One SLR, two magazines, 40 rounds, one Chinese hand grenade and a pouch was recovered from the slain militant, who had recently joined militant outfit. One solider of RR-- Rifleman Rohit Kumar-- also sustained injuries The encounter took place hours after HM claimed responsibility for the attack on Army patrol party in which a major and a soldier were killed and another jawan was injured in south Kashmir, where two militants were also killed in a separate operation yesterday. The District Magistrate (DM), Anantnag ordered closure of all educational institutions as a precautionary measure. The railway has also suspended all trains from Srinagar to Banihal in Jammu region which are passing through south Kashmir, including Anantnag. However, rail service from Srinagar to north Kashmir was running normally. UNI