Srinagar, October 5
Twentyfour militants and a civilian were killed and a security force camp was attacked in the Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours.

Official reports in Jammu said on specific information the troops laid an ambush in the Mankot area of Mendhar in the Poonch sector and trapped 11 militants. As the troops neared the hideout they came under fire. In the retaliatory fire 11 militants were killed on the spot. One was wounded.

Defence Ministry officials said it was not ascertained whether the group had infiltrated into Poonch or were planning for an ogress.

However, police sources said the killed belonged to Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami and were foreign mercenaries. The sources said they were planning to cross back to Pakistan. And their rivals had in fact given a tip to the security forces because they did not want the rebels to cross over to Pakistan.

In another encounter between the security forces and the militants in the Kunzar area near Tangmarg, west of Srinagar, four militants, belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad were killed. The militants and the security forces were locked in a fierce armed duel for over four hours.

Reports said that large quantities of arms and explosives were seized from the slain militants.

He said three militants were killed by the security forces at Indiri Dhok while two others were gunned down at Morah Kanaliyan Dhok in operations last evening.

Militants attacked a security force camp with automatic weapons at Handwara last night. The security forces also retaliated but the militants escaped. No damage was done.