M A I N   N E W S

Troops repulse Pak attack
Four militants among 6 killed in valley
Tribune News Service and agencies

JAMMU, July 23 — Indian troops repulsed a Pakistani attack in Jammu region’s Sunderbani area last evening, killing three Pakistani soldiers and wounding several others, a defence spokesman said here today.

He said an Indian troop was also killed and two were injured in the heavy exchange of fire.

The spokesman said Indian troops intercepted a Pakistani patrol, comprising 25 to 30 soldiers, which intruded into the Indian territory at around 6.50 p.m yesterday.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, three Pakistani soldiers were killed and several seriously wounded.

Meanwhile, reports said intermittent exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops continued at various places along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch and some places along the International Border in the Jammu region since last evening.

There was no loss of life or damage to property on the Indian side, the reports said.

Meanwhile, six persons, including four militants, were killed in various incidents, while security forces rescued five youths from Kabad jungles in Gandoh sector who were being sent to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for arms training by militants in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening.

They have been identified as Bashir Ahmad, Munir Ahmed, Zakir Hussain, Ghulam Hussain and Ishrat Ali.

A militant owing allegiance to the banned Hizbul Mujahideen surrendered before the security forces along with an AK assault rifle and some ammunition in Badgam district of central Kashmir today, an official spokesman said.

He said three unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Qazinag-Sonapind in Handwara sector of Kupwara district in north Kashmir.

The spokesman said the encounter took place near the Line of Control on July 21. A general purpose machine gun, two AK assault rifles, 17 grenades and some ammunition were recovered from the deceased ultras.

In another encounter, he said security forces gunned down a militant at Kaunsarnag in Anantnag district of South Kashmir yesterday. Three grenades and some AK ammunition were recovered from the militant.

Militants shot dead Mohammad Yusuf Najar, a businessman, inside his house at Kreeri in the Duroo area of Anantnag district last night, the spokesman said.

He said militants also shot dead one Asghar Ali at Pathri-Dalla in the Gool area of Udhampur district last night.