Jammu, Sept 5: While a massive search operation was underway in Dachan area of Kishtwar, army Sunday claimed to have gunned down Divisional Commander of Jesh-e-Muhammad (JeM) in an encounter in Mendhar area of Poonch district.
One trooper was also injured in the gun battle, while Army arrested three persons of a family for allegedly helping the slain militant.
“Divisional Commander of JeM Abbu Khatab was killed, while one army trooper was injured in an encounter in a Khoo-Mohalla village of Bhatti Dhaar area in Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch District”, an official spokesman said.
 He said that based on specific inputs troops cordoned off a residential house in the village, during the wee hours today, where the militant was hiding.
 The militant commander along with three of his associates were hiding in the house, when troops zeroed in, the spokesman said, adding that in the ensuing gun battle the militant commander was gunned down.
 An army trooper, identified as Lance Naik Sajan Singh was also injured in the encounter and was later airlifted to Army Hospital Udhampur.
 Immediately after the encounter, army arrested owner of the house Khaliq Hussain and his two sons Zubar Hussain (18 years) and Sudam Hussain. Officials alleged that the trio was working in close coordination with the slain militant commander and has been handed over to local police for further investigation.
 “One  AK 47, 1 Chinese Pistol, 1 Chinese Grenade, 1 pouch, 1 camera, Rs 5000 Indian currency, 2 mobile phones, 2 SIM cards, I-Cards and 5 Pistol rounds were recovered from the site of the encounter,” Army said.

KISHTWAR OPERATION
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that army, police and Special Operation Group (SOG) has launched a massive search operation in Dachan area of Kishtwar district to track down at least two HM militants, suspected to be hiding in the area in injured condition.
 They said that army engaged two militants, at Khankhodhar ridge between Checha and Dacchan area, for a brief encounter on Thursday following which the militants managed to flee from the spot.
 The troops immediately called in reinforcement and cordoned off the entire area, sources said adding that a search operation is undergoing in the area from Friday morning.
 As the troops failed to make any breakthrough, army air dropped the paratroopers with the help of Indian Air Force so as to seal all the entry and exit points of the militants, who were present in this area, last evening.
 Though officials were tight lipped over the operation, sources said that hundreds of troops and police personnel were engaged in the searches.
 During the four days of ongoing operation, one AK 47, One SLR with magazines, one Pistol, pouches, one LMG magazine were recovered from the militants hideout.
 The security forces were continuously tracking the militants believed to be unarmed and in injured condition.

MILITANT KILLED IN KUPWARA ENCOUNTER
 Meanwhile a militant was killed in gunfight with troopers in frontier district of Kupwara on Sunday. “One militant has been killed in gunfight so far in the Vilgam forests of Handwara,” police sources said.
 They said a soldier of RR who was wounded in the gunfight also succumbed to injuries.
“Another encounter broke out in forests of Chowkibal late evening today,” they said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST