SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Nov 2 (NNN-PTI) – A top militant commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen group was killed yesterday, during a fierce gunfight with government forces, in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
Saifullah was killed at Rangreth area, on the outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
“Today, commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Saifullah, was killed in a gunfight with joint contingents of police, paramilitary and army,” a senior police official said.
The government forces have not suffered any damage in the stand-off. Police described Saifullah’s killing a major success against militancy.
“This is a huge success for the police and security forces. This is not a small achievement,” senior police officer, Vijay Kumar, told reporters.
Saifullah took command of Hizbul Mujahideen (the region’s indigenous militant outfit) in May, after the killing of Riyaz Naikoo.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. Gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently across the region.– NNN-PTI
