J&K: Hizbul commander surrenders, 2 killed

A self-styled commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit surrendered on Monday along with arms and ammunition before security forces in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shahbaz alias Gazi surrendered before the police and Rashriya Rifle troops in Doda town in the early hours, Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, Monohar Singh, said.

Gazi, who was active in militancy since 1998, handed over one AK rifle alongwith three magazines and 90 rounds, three wireless sets, one pouch and some other materials, Singh said.

Resident of Bharthi area in Gandoh tehsil of Doda district, Gazi was motivated by locals to surrender and join the mainstream.

Earlier, 10 militants of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen outfit, including its five commanders, surrendered before the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on June 5.

Militants kill 2 people:

Two persons, including a policeman, were killed on Monday when militants attacked their houses in Ramban district.

A group of five to six militants attacked the houses of a policeman Khurshid Malik and surrendered militant Anwar in Mola village of Gool tehsil in the district, officials said.

In the firing, Malik and Mohammad Salim, the brother of the surrendered militant, were killed. Malik's wife Sarya was critically injured, they said.       

The militants managed to flee from the spot after the incident.

Explosives recovered:

The Army on Monday cracked a militant hideout and recovered arms and ammunitions in Poonch district.

Three 80-mm mortars, seven claymore mines, some detonators, two grenades and cordex wire were recovered from near Mendhar forest area, officials said.