Srinagar, June 9
Ten militants, including foreigners, were among 11 killed in the valley during the past 24 hours.

Security personnel defused on improvised explosive device planted by militants at Nathipora on the Sopore-Kupwara road this morning.

An official spokesman said two mercenaries were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Manju Tangdhar in north Kashmir this morning. An AK rifle, a Pika gun, four grenades, two bombs, a pistol and 130 rounds were recovered from the slain militants.

He said two Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba militants were killed at Rangwar in the frontier district of Kupwara last evening. Two rifles and some magazines were recovered from near the encounter site.

The body of a foreign militant was recovered from the woods of Kamkhandi in Kupwara last evening, while Shoukat Ahmad Bhat, injured in a shootout at Jablipora Bijbehara, died in hospital this morning.

The forces gunned down seven militants in four operations in Rajouri, Doda and Udhampur districts of Jammu region since last evening. Some arms and ammunition were also recovered.

The spokesman said the security forces arrested a militant at Drugmulla in Kupwara last evening.

According to the DIG, Poonch-Rajouri Range, Mr S.S. Bajral, six commanders of the Hizbul Mujahideen (Pir Panjal force) were eliminated at village Khaka Dudasan Bala, 15 km from Rajouri. He said the police received information that top commanders of the rebel outfit were holding a meeting there. The police and the Army immediately cordoned off the hideout.

As the security forces neared the hideout, they came under heavy fire. Mr Balraj said the security forces retaliated and destroyed the hideout.

The Army authorities said a militant was killed at Hari Budha in Surankot area.

The police said two bodies had been so far recovered from Dudasan area. Among those eliminated were Panj Sher, a Pakistani who had masterminded the massacre of 15 policemen at Kotli Gambhir in Rajouri about two months ago. He was also involved in the blowing up of the Dharhali bridge. Panj Sher, according to the police, would receive infiltrators and send them to different areas in Poonch and Rajouri districts.