Jammu, February 19
A civilian, Shabir Ahmed, was killed and 12 others were wounded in a grenade explosion near Government Dak Bungalow in Kishtwar this morning. According to the police, a grenade hurled by a militant on the bungalow missed its target and exploded at a crowded place. At least 13 civilians were wounded, of which Shabir Ahmed and Shishi Kumar were airlifted to Jammu Medical College, where the former succumbed to his wounds. The condition of Shishi is said to be critical.

The police and paramilitary forces have cordoned off the building and launched search operations in the adjoining areas. Eleven wounded civilians have been admitted to the Kishtwar hospital.

SRINAGAR: Four persons, including three militants, were killed in separate incidents, while 12 militants surrendered before the security forces in the Kashmir valley since Monday.

The police here said three militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen, two of them foreigners, were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Nunwani, Sarkoli, Kupwara district. Two AK rifles, 201 rounds and two hand grenades were recovered from the site of encounter.

A militant was killed in an encounter with the security forces in the district on Tuesday, the police said.

Nine militants surrendered at Kupwara. They also handed over eight AK Rifles, eight magazines, 150 rounds and one pistol.

Three militants surrendered with some arms and ammunition before the security forces in the same area on Tuesday, a police spokesman said here.