Security Forces (SFs) on January 20 killed three militants of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), including a ‘commander’, in the Wachi area of Shopian (Shopian District) of Jammu and Kashmir in India, reports Daily Excelsior. SFs after inputs about presence of a group of militants cordoned off the area. During the cordon, militants fired on troops leading to a gun battle in which three militants were killed. They were identified as Wasim Ahmad Wani, ‘district commander’ of HM, of Uripora Nagbal, Shopian; Adil Ahmad Shiekh of Zainapora, Shopian; and Hidayatullah Malik of Sharadpora, Shopian. Adil Sheikh was a Special Police Officer (SPO), who stole seven rifles and one pistol from the house of then legislator Aijaz Ahmad Mir’s official residence in Jawahar Nagar area of Srinagar on September 29, 2018, to join HM.
Separately, militants in the evening of January 20 hurled a grenade targeting the Security Forces (SFs) at Newa in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir in India, reports Daily Excelsior. However, no one was injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, the Security Forces on January 20 conducted search operations at multiple places in Baramulla District of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The operations were launched at Khanpora Baramulla, General Bus Stand, Subzi Market, Main Chowk Baramulla and Tawheed Gunj Baramulla.