Jammu, June 12
In a shootout between activists of the Lashkar-i-Toiba and Hizb-ul Mujahideen seven militants were killed in Mikhwan village under Atholi police station in Kishtwar belt today.
According to the police the two groups remained engaged in a gun battle that lasted for more than an hour.
Six killed militants belonged to the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and one to the Lashkar-i-Toiba. The police has recovered all seven bodies.
Sources said members of the two groups clashed when activists of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen protested against excesses being committed by Lashkar-i-Toiba activists. The Hizb activists also had resented the way the foreign mercenaries were dictating terms to the local youths.
The Atholi incident has given a setback to the Pak agencies that were engaged in promoting unity among different militant outfits.
