Seven killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Nov 15 (UNI) — A militant and a jawan were among seven persons killed, while eight others were injured in militancy-related incidents in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours.

Panic gripped Soura, on the outskirts of the city when militants hurled a hand grenade towards a security force vehicle this morning. However, the grenade missed its target and exploded on the roadside without causing any damage.

In another incident, at least five persons were injured when a grenade lobbed by militants on a security force vehicle exploded on the roadside last evening.

An official spokesperson said a security jawan was killed and two others injured in an exchange of fire with militants at Chandi Dhara village last evening. The forces retaliated, but the militants managed to make good their escape.

Unidentified gunmen abducted and later killed Fayaz Ahmad, a militant of the Hijbul Mujahideen from Shanguth Achabal village last evening, the spokesperson added.

Militants shot at and wounded one Haji Ghulam Mohammad Dar near his Saidapora Idgah house last evening, he said.

Unidentified gunmen killed three persons at Chachal last evening, Gul Mohammad and Mir Mohammad Chichi were killed by militants at Nellow Kulgam and Tangmarg, respectively, last night.

Forces captured one militant each at Kupwara and Sheniki along with 74 gelatine sticks and four grenades last evening, the spokesperson disclosed.

Srinagar airport reopens today

SRINAGAR, Nov 15 (PTI) — Srinagar airport, which was closed to air traffic in June, is being reopened for normal traffic on Monday.

Union Defence Minister George Fernandes will declare open the newly resurfaced airfield tomorrow, official sources said today.

The airport was closed for resurfacing of the runway, which the Border Organisation completed in a record time.

The airport is now fit for landing of bigger aircraft, including jumbo jets, and can very easily be converted into an international airport, a long-standing demand of the Jammu and Kashmir government.