Delhi HC blast accused among 2 Hizb militants killed in JK

An associate of the slain ultras was arrested after the gunfight lasting over three hours, IGP (Jammu Range) Dilbagh Singh told reporters here.

Acting on a tip-off that some militants were hiding in Trothil forest-Wasan Nallah area in Kishtwar district, troops of 17 Rashtriya Rifles and police cordoned off the area, he said.

The security forces challenged the hiding militants and asked them to surrender, the IGP said.

The ultras fired at security forces and in the ensuing gunbattle two Hizb militants were killed, he said adding the exchange of fire, which began at around 1000 hrs, lasted over three hours.

The slain ultras were identified as 25-year-old Amir Ali Kamal and Mohammad Shafi Hajam, the IGP said.

Militant Sajad Ahmed Mir alias Rizwan, who escaped from the scene, was later arrested, the IGP said.

"Amir Ali is the prime accused in the Delhi High Court blast," Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Kishtwar-Doda-Ramban Range, Gareeb Dass told PTI.

"He was a top Hizb militant and his killing was a big achievement," he said.

The National Investigation Agency and the state police had launched several operations in Kishtwar hills to track down three Hizb militants -- Amir Ali Kamal, Junaid Akram Malik and Shakir Hussain Sheikh -- involved in the Delhi High Court blast.

Fifteen people were killed and 50 injured in the blast on September seven. MORE