The local battalion commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Basharat Saleem escaped after a 14-hour long gunbattle with security forces near Khanday Filling Station in Sopore, North Kashmir on Sunday morning.
Police had got information that Basharat would be visiting his house in Sopore. Police, CRPF and Army surrounded the house and a gunbattle erupted throughout the night, DIG A Q Manhas told India TV correspondent Manzoor Mir..
During the gunbattle, one house was completely gutted, and in the melee the self-styled battalion commander managed to escape..
Basharat Saleem is being sought for the murders of several civil and security officials, Manhas said. Police have however found a laptop from the spot and they expect to get some clues about the HM militant.
