M A I N   N E W S

Sopore Encounter
Narrow escape for lensmen
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 12
Several press photographers, including Amin War of The Tribune, had a narrow escape when security forces resorted to unprovoked firing after an encounter with militants had concluded at Dooru near Sopore in Baramula district this afternoon. In the melee camera of The Tribune’s photographer was also damaged.

The photographers arrived at the spot, 60 km from here, to cover the encounter between militants and the security forces, which began in the area yesterday. When the operation was completed this afternoon, several visiting journalists were among the villagers present near the site of encounter. They said troops resorted to unprovoked firing, injuring many civilians while they had a narrow escape watching bullets raining. The photographers ran for their lives having narrow escape, while they watched three civilians getting bullets fired on their legs. In the confusion that followed the photographers returned to this place.

A defence spokesman said there was no “targeted firing” on any civilianas the operation dragged on into the evening.

Five militants killed near Sopore
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 12
At least five militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Dooru near Sopore in Baramula district of north Kashmir since last night. One militant was killed in another encounter with the security forces in Pulwama district of south kashmir today.

Acting on a tip-off security forces cordoned off Dooru village near Watlab last night, leading to an encounter, a Defence spokesman here said. A district commander of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen M.Usman Kari along with two other militants were killed in one house. Two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in another neighbouring house this morning. Three AK rifles and other war-like stores were recovered from the debris of the first house. Debris of the second house was being searched when reports last came in. The killed militants included three from the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and two from the Lashkar-e-toiba, the Defence spokesman said.

Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi was killed in an encounter with security forces at Mandyun in Pulwama district today. One AK- 47 rifle, two AK magazines, 15 rounds of AK ammunition, two hand grenades and one pouch were recovered from the site of encounter.