Hizbul chief Saifullah killed in Srinagar encounter

Srinagar: Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) chief Saifullah was on Sunday killed during an encounter which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Srinagar outskirts.

Official sources said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police and CRPF in Rangreth area in the city outskirts.

However, when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons.

“The security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter,” they said, adding a militant was killed in the encounter while a suspect was arrested at the encounter site.

The slain militant has been reportedly identified as Saifullah, who became the chief of HM after Riyaz Naikoo was killed in an encounter in May this year.

“Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from the encounter site,” sources said.

The operation was going on when the reports last came in. (UNI)