According to the reports, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat alias Soab Don, who was trapped inside the cordon, in Saimoo village of Tral has been killed in the encounter.

Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who had succeeded Burhan Wani as the militant outfit’s chief, was among two militants killed in an overnight encounter in Tral area of south Kashmir, reports said.

Bhat was among three militants trapped by security forces in Tral area of Pulwama district. The encounter which started on Friday evening when militants opened fire fire at a atrol party of 42 Rashtriya Rifles at Hardumir. However, they managed to escape the spot when the forces retaliated.

The trio was later cornered and a gun battle ensued that continued till early hours of Saturday.

While Bhat and another militants were killed, search operations were on for the third militant.

“2 among 03 militants were killed in encounter so far in Tral, identification of militants only possible when encounter is over. We have reports Sabzar is one among them”, DGP Police S P Vaid said.

Meanwhile, second militant has been identified as Faizan from Tral.

More details awaited.  

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