In Jammu and Kashmir, a self-styled district commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was shot dead in Kishtwar district of Jammu region on Tuesday. According to a senior Police officer, acting on specific information about the presence of the top commander in Thachna-Gokund forests in Nawapachi belt of the district, troops of 11 Rastriya Rifles and Police cordoned the area and launched a search operation. As the troops closed in around the forest hideout, militants fired at them resulting in a fierce gun battle. In the gun battle, 'district commander' of Hizbul Mujahideen, Sajjad Ahmed Mir alias Rizwan was killed.One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 37 ammunition rounds and one radio set were recovered from the site of encounter. He said the militant was active in South of Pir Panchal ranges in Doda-Kishtwar belt for the past 11 years. His killing is considered to be a major success for Security Forces and a big blow to the militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.