Hizb operational commander believed to be killed in Shopian gunfight
In a major setback to insurgents, Kashmir operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and one of the longest serving militants Yasin Yatoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi is believed to be dead along with two other militants at Shopian where 16 hour long gunfight ensued since yesterday.
“Three HM militants were killed in the encounter. The slain militants were identified as Irfan-ul-Haq resident of Maldara Zainapora and Umar Majeed Mir resident of Kulgam. The identity of the third militant is being ascertained.” Police said.
As per the sources, earlier it was presumed that Adil Malik along with Umar and Irfan were killed in fierce gunfight at Awneera in Shopian that raged last evening.
However after recovering body from the debris, it was identified as of Muhammad Yasin Yatoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi, the operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen in Kashmir. Police till now has not confirmed the identity of the third slain militant.
Yatoo is a resident of Chadoora in Budgam district and first joined militancy in year 1997 after crossing over to other side of the Line of Control.
The gunfight also left two soldiers dead while unknown number of militants reportedly escaped from the spot.
Meanwhile authorities have directed telecom authorities to block mobile Internet services in Budgam district.
KV Correspondent
