M A I N   N E W S

Three ultras, JCO killed in encounter
Large cache of arms seized
Tribune News Service and PTI

SRINAGAR, Sept 2 — At least eight persons, including five militants and a security officer, were killed and seven injured in separate incidents of violence in the Kashmir valley since yesterday.

The security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition during search operations today, a police spokesman said.

Five persons, including three militants, were killed in a fierce encounter at Drabteng village near Prang in Kangan area of Srinagar district yesterday. Two of the three militants were identified as Farooq Ahmad Mir and Mohammad Sharfi Wani. A civilian, Manzoor Ahmad Mir, who was among the five civilians injured in the encounter, later succumbed to his injuries. Five houses were gutted in the exchange of fire between the militants and the security forces.

Three rifles, nine magazines with 24 rounds and two wireless sets were recovered from the site. The police said the security forces cordoned Drabteng village for search operations. They were fired upon by hiding militants. The encounter that ensued led to the killing of three militants, a JCO and a civilian.

A civilian was killed while three, including two civilians, and a security jawan were injured in an exchange of fire between the militants and the security forces at Utrosu, Achchabal, in Anantnag district last night.

Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces and the SOG of the Jammu and Kashmir Police at Mir Bazar, Qazigund, in Anantnag district this afternoon. In another search operation following the death of two foreign militants at Lawaypora on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday, the security forces recovered seven 60 mm mortar bombs, 49 detonators, 28 rounds of pistol ammunition, five hand grenades, six kg of explosives and two RPG rockets.

JAMMU: An Army jawan was injured in firing by Pakistani troops at a forward post in Bhawani sub-sector in Rajouri district, defence sources said.

The security forces smashed two hideouts of militants and recovered a huge quantity of ammunition and explosives, including 20 kg of RDX, in Poonch district of Jammu Division.

Rashtriya Rifles (RR) troops and the police, on specific information, conducted a search yesterday in Dhundak village in Poonch district and found a militant hideout.

In another operation at Kasbalari village in the district, they recovered 91 rounds of ammunition, 17 rounds of pistol and two hand grenades.