M A I N   N E W S

15 militants, JCO killed in J&K

Srinagar, July 11
Nineteen persons, including 15 militants and a junior commissioned officer of the Army, were killed in militancy-related incidents across Jammu and Kashmir since last night, an official spokesman said here today.

Security forces foiled an infiltration by militants in Macchil sector of Kupwara district near the Line of Control, the spokesman said. Three militants were killed and two apprehended in an operation in Macchil sector last night as they were trying to enter this side of LoC.

An ambush was laid following intelligence that a group of militants was trying to sneak into the valley from the Macchil area. An encounter followed and three militants were slain while two were apprehended. Five AK 47 rifles and several hand grenades were recovered from the site.

Three militants and an Army officer were killed in an encounter in Anantnag district, the spokesman said. The encounter started at Kulgam, 70 km from here, last night when militants hiding there opened fire on the security forces, who had cordoned the village on information -about the presence of militants there. In the encounter, three militants and a junior commissioned officer of the Army were killed.

One militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir township of Uri in Baramula district, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, in Jammu region, of the state five persons including two pro Pakistan Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants were killed in separate incidents in Doda, Poonch and Rajouri district since last night, official sources said. On information, troops launched an operation in Marwah area of Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district last night, they said adding that an encounter took place later during search. Two Hizb militants identified as Riyaz Ahmed and Sulaiman Bumbhal were killed and one AK 47 rifle, five magazines, one pistol, and 100 cartridges recovered from the site.

Militants entered the house of one Shiraj in Thanamadi in Rajouri district last night and killed him, they said adding an operation to track down militants has been launched. Troops destroyed hideouts in Banihal, Surankote, Darhal areas of Jammu division and recovered 288 cartridges of AK ammunition, three 12-bore guns, nine detonators, five anti-personal mines and plastic explosives early today, they said.

An encounter also begun in Manjakote forest of Rajouri district between militants and troops this morning, they said adding that details were awaited. Militants intercepted a former Special Police Officer and Public Health Engineering employee 2 km from Poonch town at Kanya this morning, kidnapped him and later shot him dead. Militants also killed his father in November last year, they said.

In another incident, militants abducted Bagh Hussain of Mardha village in Poonch district early today and later shot him dead, they said. Both bodies were recovered by the police and handed over to their families after a post-mortem, examination they said. — PTI