Srinagar: In a major success in the anti-militancy drive in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces in an encounter on April 2 night shot dead chief commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Saif-ul-Islam, who had replaced moderator Abdul Majid Dar in 2001.

Islam was killed at Puru in Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar city, official sources said.

Police recovered cash in Rs 93 lakh, a satellite phone and a pistol from him, the sources said, adding more details were awaited.

A local resident of Kashmir valley, Islam had taken over the reins of Hizbul Mujahideen after the outfit's Pakistan-based supremo Syed Salahuddin sacked Dar as chief commander.

Dar was shot dead on March 23 at his native village in Sopore by suspected militants of the rival faction of Hizbul Mujahideen.

PTI