Ramban, May 26: A top Hizbul Mujahideen militant was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Ramban district, police said today.
Ghulam Qadir alias Tohid-ul-Islam, a Hizb Commander, was killed in Bhimdasa area in Ramban in a joint operation by police and army last night.
Said to be the last surviving Hizb Commander in Ramban, he was killed after an hour-long exchange of fire. An AK-56 rifle, three magazines and 54 rounds were recovered from his person, police said.
The militant was reportedly on his way home when he was intercepted by security forces, and in the ensuing gunbattle he was killed.
In Jammu, IGP (Jammu Range) Dilbagh Singh said it was the “biggest achievement” of security forces in recent times. He said Qadir was active in the area since 2006 and was involved in several militancy-linked crimes including killing of three army men.
Dilbagh said now only 29 militants were active in the Jammu region, including four in Ramban and seven in Kishtwar.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 IST