Srinagar, August 28
Three persons, including a militant, were killed and two security personnel wounded while troops apprehended two top commanders of the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HUJI) in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today.

The security forces and the Jammu and Kashmir police conducted a search operation at Khawajabagh in Baramula district late last night.

During the operation, the forces apprehended Bashir Ahmad Sofi, alias Saifullah, HUJI district commander, and Showkat Ahmad Malik, alias Moulvi, the group’s battalion commander, the spokesman said.

An AK rifle, one pistol and some ammunition were seized from their possession.

The security forces gunned down a militant, Abdul Qayoom Parray, in an encounter at Lawaypora-Barzulla in the Bandipora area of the same district last night, he said.

A civilian, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Gujjar, was killed in the clash and two security personnel were wounded, the spokesman said, adding the injured had been shifted to a nearby hospital.

An AK assault rifle and other arms and ammunition were also seized from the slain militant.

Militants shot dead Waseem Ahmad Sheikh at Nagabal in the Zianapora area in Pulwama district last evening.

The security forces apprehended a suspected militant at Bhali in Rajouri district and seized six detonators, six pencil cells and some explosives from him. — UNI