Hizb behind NC worker’s killing: Police

Srinagar: A day after unidentified gunmen killed ruling National Conference worker in South Kashmir, police on Thursday blamed Hizbul Mujahidden militant outfit for the act. At around 2000 hours yesterday, a police spokesman said that three militants entered into the house of the NC worker (Halqa President)—Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat son of Ali Mohammad at Pinglish Tral and called him out to identify the house of an active militant, Sajad Ahmad alias Bale Bale in the neighbourhood. As Bhat came out of his house, he said militants fired upon him resulting in his on spot death. His wife Haseena Bano also received injuries in her hand. She was shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital here. “Highly reliable inputs suggest that Bhat has been killed by Sajad Ahmad alias Bale Bale, the Divisional commander of the outfit in South Kashmir and two of his associates, one of whom has been identified as Shabir Ahmad of Tral,” the spokesman told.He said that the entire area has been cordoned and search operation by Police, Army and CRPF contingents was going on to nab the militants.He said that during the past month, anti militancy operations were stepped up due to onset of spring and movement of militants from winter hideouts in mountains to the populated areas.  “Strenuous efforts are being made to locate the presence of militants.”   Police has already registered a case FIR No. 29/ 2011 u/s 302, 307 RPC 7/25 A. Act in Police Station Tral.