Srinagar, July 08: Two militants, including a self-styled district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, were killed in an encounter last night in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, official sources said today. A joint search party of 18 Rashtriya Rifles and local police reached Lalpora village following specific information and asked the hiding militants to surrender, they said. The ultras opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated killing two ultras including a District Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen identified as Mohammad Akbar Peer, they said and described peer's killing as a "major breakthrough". Peer, a local militant, was active in the district since the eruption of militancy and was wanted in connection with a large number of militancy-related incidents, the sources said.
They said an AK assault rifle, an under-barrel grenade launcher, two wireless sets, two hand grenades and some ammunition were recovered from the scene of the encounter.

Meanwhile, unidentified militants opened fire on police station Kreeri in Pattan area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir last night. Police guards also fired in retaliation, but none was hurt in the shootout, they added.
Bureau Report