Top commander of Hizbul militant killed in encounter

Srinagar

Samir Ahmad Wani alias Jaan Sahib was killed in a gunbattle with security forces at Nagri Hatmulla in Kupwara district this morning, a police official said.

He said Wani, a resident of Sopore town in neighbouring Baramulla district, was a 'divisional commander' of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

One AK rifle and some ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, the official added.

Meanwhile, a mob in Sopore town set ablaze a police vehicle which was on its way from Bandipora to Kupwara to take a detenue for a court appearance.

As soon as news of Wani's death reached Sopore, a group of youth started pelting stones on passing vehicles including the police vehicle which was on way to Kupwara, a police official said.

He said the mob got hold of the vehicle and set it ablaze.

"The eight policemen and the detenue managed to escape from the spot and took refuge in a civilian house," he added.

The trapped policemen and the detenue were later safely rescued from the house, the official said.