Hizbul militant killed in encounter

Srinagar : A Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, a police official said.

Acting on a credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by police and security forces at Bugam in Chadoora area. He said during the search operation, a militant fired on the search party.

The fire was retaliated to, leading to an encounter in which the militant was killed and his body was recovered along with arms and ammunition.

The militant has been identified as Hilal Bhat from Armulla area of Pulwama district of south Kashmir, the official said. Bhat was affiliated with the proscribed outfit HM and was involved in several terror cases, he added.

Meanwhile, the Central government on Sunday approved extension of service for one year each for two top officers in Jammu and Kashmir - IAS officer Basheer Ahmad Khan and his brother and IPS officer Muneer Ahmad Khan.

According to the orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training and the Union Home Ministry, the state government's recommendation for extension of one year beyond the date of superannuation has been approved for both officials, who would have otherwise retired on Sunday.