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Journalism of Courage
GANDERBAL, (KASHMIR), MARCH 14: The kingpin of the Wandhama massacre of 23 Kashmiri Pandits and a Pakistani paratrooper were among six top militants gunned down by security forces in separate encounters here since last night.
The encounters, involving top leaders of Pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen and Pakistan-based Al-Badr outfits, took place at Sheikhpora-Suhpora and Halnar near Chunt Wali areas of Ganderbal last night and early today, an official spokesman told PTI today.
In the first encounter, the spokesman said self-styled divisional commander of outlawed Hizbul Mujahideen, Abdul Hamid Bhat alias Hamid Gadda, responsible for more than 100 killings, including the massacre of 23 Kashmiri Pandits at Wandhama two years ago, was killed alongwith two of his close associates, Mohammad Abdullah Shah alias Marshal and Maqbool Sheikh at Sheikhpora-Suhpora village last night.
The encounter took place when the special operations group (SOG) of local police assisted by Sharifabad-based Kilo Force of army raided the militant hideout at around 1600 hours yesterday, he said.
In another joint operation, SOG Ganderbal and army troops gunned down three foreign mercenaries associated with Al Badr militant outfit at Halnar village in Ganderbal today, the spokesman said.
Two of the killed militants were identified as Loraib Khan, a resident of Pakistan and a former para-commando of Pakistan army and his bodyguard Hafiz Bhai, also a resident of Pakistan, the spokesman said.
