Top commander among 2 militants killed in J&K

Police on Sunday said it has identified the two militants, among them a top commander, who were killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district.

The militants who were killed on Saturday have been identified as top commander Zeenat-ul-Islam alias Zeenat alias Usman - resident of Shopian, and his associate Shakeel Ahmad Dar - resident of Chilli Pora village, a police statement said.

"Both the slain militants were affiliated with proscribed outfit Al-Badr and were wanted by law for their complicity in a series of crimes including attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities.

"Zeenat-ul-Islam had a long history of crime records since 2006, when he got affiliated with Al-Badr and was later arrested," the statement said.

"However, after he was released, he affiliated with proscribed outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and recently he joined Al-Badr outfit in Shopian district. Consequently, he became the chief of the outfit.

"No collateral damage took place during the encounter. Bodies of the militants were handed over to their families after completion of the formalities," it said.

--IANS

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