Hizbul commander killed in J&K shootout

SRINAGAR: A wanted commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen was among the two militants shot dead in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district after a brief gunfight on Sunday, police said. "The militants, travelling in a vehicle, were challenged at a 'naka' (checkpost) set up by security forces in Padgampora area of Pulwama, but instead of giving themselves up, started firing at the security personnel triggering a brief gunfight in which both were killed," a police officer said here. "The two slain militants have been identified as Rayees Kachroo of Rajpora in Pulwama and Farooq Hurra of Nazneenpora in Shopian district. Kachroo was on top of the security forces' wanted list of militants operating in south Kashmir areas. "He was wanted in connection with attacks on security forces. His killing is a major setback to militancy in south Kashmir," the officer said. Security forces had set up the checkpost in Padgampora area following information about the movement of militants.