M A I N   N E W S

Captain dies in encounter

SRINAGAR, Feb 26 (PTI) — An Army officer and five ultras were among eight persons killed in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, even as the security forces launched a massive combing operation on the outskirts of Srinagar and Anantnag to flush out militants early today.

An Army Captain and four militants were killed and six soldiers wounded in an encounter at Thandole-Kalakote in the border district of Rajouri yesterday, an official spokesman said here.

Another militant of the outlawed Hizbul Mujahideen was shot dead at Malangam-Bandipora in Baramula district yesterday.

Shabir Ahmad Bhat was killed in “cross-fire” between militants and the security forces at Chewa -Safapora village in Baramula district last evening. But residents alleged Bhat was forced into of ultras by security personnel where he was injured.

Acting on a tip-off the security forces cordoned had the village yesterday. The raiding party was fired upon by hiding militants.

In another incident, the body of Gulsher Khan (55) was recovered from Ganeshpora village near Pahalgam, 96 km from here, yesterday.

Five rifles, a rocket projectile gun, a rocket booster, two grenades and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from five militant hideouts in Anantnag, Badgam, Rajouri and Doda districts.

The security forces launched a search operation today at Kangan, 40 km from here, on the Srinagar-Leh highway, to flush out militants.

The sources said combing operations were also launched at Pahalgam in Anantnag district following reports that ultras were hiding there.