M A I N   N E W S

6 cops killed in ambush
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, April 16 — At least 17 persons, including seven security force personnel and seven militants were killed in separate incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Eight persons including security force personnel, one constable, three SPOs (Special Police Officers) or counter insurgents, an ex-serviceman and a civilian were killed and a constable was injured in an attack by militants at Nabna-Madna in Mandi sector of Poonch district in the Jammu and region.

A police spokesman said here that the joint operations group of the police and security forces had cordoned of the forest for conducting search operations but the search party was fired upon by hiding militants. Additional forces were sent to the forest for combing operations but reports said the militants escaped into the forest.

Three militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Harveth, Vadingoo in Handwara area of Kupwara district last night. The three militants, belonging to Al-Hamza group of Hizbul Mujahideen were identified as Captain Mohammad Shafi Mouchi, Tufail Ahmad and Nazir Ahmad Lone, all locals. Three AK rifles, 16 magazines, 300 rounds, two grenade throwers, 11 rifle grenades, four hand grenades, three wireless sets and three bayonets were recovered from the site of the encounter. The spokesman added that the police party was first fired upon by militants provoking the encounter.

One militant was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Achabal in Anantnag district last night. The police said that the militants fired upon a camp of the security forces. The security forces retaliated, killing one militant. The identity of the militant was not disclosed.

The security forces during patrol near Reshkul, Ketsan area of Bandipora in Baramula district recovered the bullet ridden dead body of a 14-year old boy. The boy was identified as Zaman Shah, son of Mohammad Maqbool, a resident of Devar in Lolab area of Kupwara district.

The police apprehended one suspected militant from Delina in Baramula district. One pistol was recovered from him and he was being interrogated.

Troops killed a Pakistani infiltrator when he crossed the line of control from Balakot sector late last night, and seized an AK-56 rifle, five magazines, three Chinese grenades and 86 rounds.

The 105 battalion of the BSF shot dead a foreign militant during an encounter at Kot Dhara village near Rajouri this morning.

One pika gun, a pistol, a wireless set, three hand grenades, one magazine, 273 rounds and Rs 6,900 in Indian currency besides ten grams of brown sugar were recovered, the spokesperson said.

Jammu (FOC): In a daring operation troops of the ace of Spade Division killed two dreaded militants in Kotli Kalaban village of Rajouri district last night. The local unit of Rajputana Rifles (Napier’s) belonging to Bhimber Gali Brigade surrounded a group of houses after getting specific operation.

The militants opened fire on the armymen which was returned. In the fierce fire-fight which lasted for over four hours, two dreaded foreign mercenaries were killed and two AK rifles, one pistol, 11 Chinese grenades, 15 kgs of explosives, 10 detonators and a large quantity of ammunition recovered.