Hundwara : A top Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Dr. Manan Wani, PhD scholar-turned-militant, is among the slain militants killed in Handwara encounter.
Police sources confirmed that second dead bod has been identified as top Hizb Commander Manan Wani hailing from Lolab Kupwara.
Earlier reports said that scholar-turned-militant, Manan Wani, who was enrolled as a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and joined militant ranks in January this year, was also trapped in the gunfight.
The officer said the operation was concluded in the area.
Soon after the news about the death of two militants including Dr Manan spread, violent clashes erupted in parts of Kupwara and Handwara.
Earlier, the authorities closed all the educational institutions in the frontier district and snapped internet services in parts of Handwara and Kupwara.
An official of the district administration had said that the all schools and colleges across Kupwara district shall remain closed except in Machil, Tanghdar and Keran areas.
The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to avoid law and order situation, he said.
Meanwhile, schools and colleges have been closed in Bandipora district along with Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools in Pattan and Baramulla. Also degree college Pulwama has been closed by the authorities, the officials added.
