Top militant commander killed in Indian-administered Kashmir

Top militant commander killed in Indian-administered Kashmir

2011-11-18 15:41:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

SRINAGAR (BNO NEWS) -- A top militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen group was killed on Thursday during an encounter with Indian security forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials confirmed on Friday.

A gunfight broke out in the district of Shopian in south Kashmir, about 55 kilometers (34 miles from Srinagar city. It happened after security forces established a cordon and launched a search operation in Shalidora village after receiving information about the presence of militants in the area.

The Press Trust of India reported that militants opened fire on security forces in the wee hours of Thursday which was retaliated, triggering a gun battle. Muneer Ahmad Kalas, a top self-styled commander of the militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed during the fighting.

A guerrilla war has been going on in India-administered Kashmir between militants, who have been blamed for attacks, and the Indian troops, who have been accused of rights abuses. The Indian government says more than 45,000 people - including civilians, militants and troops - have died in the region over the past two decades.

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