M A I N   N E W S

4 Pak troops, 8 ultras killed
18 hurt in J&K grenade blast

SRINAGAR, Aug 29 (PTI) — Four Pakistani soldiers and eight militants were killed when Indian troops repulsed a bid to push in ultras in the Uri sector of North Kashmir today, a defence spokesman said here.

On the Indian side, two Army jawans were among five injured in the Pak shelling.

Pakistani troops opened artillery, mortar and small arms fire on Indian positions in Korli area in the wee hours.

Indian troops retaliated with artillery and small arms targeting Pakistani defences and some barracks near the LoC, killing four Pakistani soldiers and eight militants, the spokesman said.

He said these barracks were being used by Pakistan to push militants into Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the self-styled district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen. Abdul Gani Lone, alias “Usman”, was killed in an encounter with the Border Security Force (BSF) at Lathi-Shah village in Baramula district. The militant was wanted in a number of militancy-related incidents.

Security forces averted a major tragedy with detection of an IED weighing 40 kg planted by militants at a bridge path in border district of Poonch in the Jammu region today.

Meanwhile, 18 civilians were wounded when militants exploded a grenade at Kulgam bus stand in Anantnag district of South Kashmir today, the spokesman said.

He said the grenade was lobbed by ultras on a moving security vehicle in the area but it missed its target and exploded on the busy road wounding 18 pedestrians.

Two more militants were killed by security forces during search operations at Harni and Sawjian sectors of Poonch district last night, the spokesman said. Security forces also gunned down a militant in Kathua district last evening.

Meanwhile, some militants armed with AK assault rifles barged into Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Yaripora branch, in Anantnag district and looted about Rs 1.50 lakh yesterday.

Three militants were killed in Chandok village of Poonch district today. Three AK-47 rifles and six rucksacks were recovered from the slain militants, whose identity was being ascertained, the sources said.