Colonel among 14 killed in Jammu

JAMMU, Oct 31 (PTI, UNI) — A Lt-Colonel and seven hardcore militants were among 14 persons killed in encounters in Poonch, Doda, Udhampur and Rajouri districts of the Jammu region since yesterday, official sources said here today.

Lt Col Ajit Bhandarkay, Naik Pradeep Kumar and three other Rashtriya Rifle personnel were seriously injured in a fierce encounter at Faislabad in the Surankote area of Poonch late last evening, the sources said, adding that the Army officer and Naik later succumbed to their injuries.

Five foreign mercenaries were killed in the crossfire, they said, adding that several militants fled to nearby forests.

In another encounter at Malechan in the Surankote area, two militants were killed by the security forces. Naik Gulzar Singh was also killed, the sources said.

The two militants — Zulfikar and Amas — belonged to Pakistan. Troops recovered two AK-assault rifles besides some ammunition from the encounter site.

A Doda report said the security forces shot dead two ultras and apprehended four others following an encounter in the Goli Bagh area.

A missile, one AK-assault rifle, four magazines, a grenade launcher, two grenades, three RPG boosters, two booster covers and two daggers were found in the area.

A selection grade constable was critically injured in an encounter between special task force personnel and militants in the Chasana area of Udhampur, they said, adding that he succumbed to his injuries.

A civilian was killed by a militant in the Kandi area of Rajouri district.

BARAMULA: Troops smashed over 12 hide-outs in woods of north Kashmir and seized large quantity of assault rifles, rockets, grenades, mortars besides two decomposed bodies during four days of search operations.

Official sources said troops, in their continued offensive to clear woods of militants, started operation on the morning of October 27 at Khumriyal, Kalaroos in north Kashmir.

During the four-day operation troops smashed over a 10 underground hide-outs at seized large quantity of arms of ammunition which included 12 AK rifles, 82 rockets, about 100 grenades, 26 rocket-launchers with boosters, over 100 mortars, about 160 detonators, 1500 rounds and four boxes of ammunition.

Large quantity of ration, including rice, dal, wheat, and milk powder were recovered from these hideouts.

Sources said two decomposed bodies of militants were also recovered from one of these hide-outs.

SRINAGAR: Three persons, including two militants, were killed and another person was wounded in separate incidents in the Kashmir valley since last evening.

An official spokesman said two unidentified militants were killed during search operations at Bidura in Anantnag district of south Kashmir last night.

An AK assault rifle, a pistol, three hand grenades and two improvised explosive devices were recovered from the possession of the deceased militants.

Militants detonated an IED at Putshai in Lolab area of Kupwara district today, killing a civilian.

The victim died instantly in the blast and his identity is being ascertained by police.

Militants wounded another person, Ghulam Nabi at Khumina village in Baharabad in Baramula district last night.

Nabi was shifted to hospital for treatment.