M A I N   N E W S

2 Pakistanis, jawan killed

Srinagar, December 7
Four militants, including two Pakistani nationals and a soldier, were killed and an Army man injured in two separate encounters with security forces in north Kashmir since last night, an official spokesman said today.

Security forces also busted three militant hide-outs and recovered arms and ammunition, including two kg of RDX, even as militants kidnapped a civilian and attacked a security patrol in Jammu and Kashmir during the period, the spokesman said.

Two militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen and a jawan were killed and a Major was injured in an encounter at Jahama Mawar near Handwara in frontier district of Kupwara today, he said.

One of the slain militant has been identified as Mohammad Ramzan War of Bihama village. Two AK rifles, six magazines and 120 cartridges were recovered from the slain militants.

Jaish-e-Mohammad militants Tahir Jaffar alias Saleem and Usman alias Janbaz, residents of Hazara and Atmuqam in Pakistan, were killed in another encounter with security forces and the police at Markul Kakernallah near Dardpora in Kupwara district last night, the spokesman said.

Two AK rifles, their four magazines, 46 cartridges, six hand grenades, and a wireless set were recovered from the slain militants, he added.

He said militants exchanged fire with security patrol at Pinglish-Tral village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir last night but no casualty was reported.

The spokesman said militants kidnapped Mohammad Yousu Beig from his house at Hard Wail in Budgam district of central Kashmir last night.

Army and the Special Operations Group of the local police smashed two hide-outs in Karag forests under the Ganderbal police station on the outskirts of Srinagar and seized two kg of RDX, 14 under barrel grenade launchers, 100 gm of explosive, a gun with 478 rounds and 189 AK rounds, he said.

He said a search party of the police and security forces also busted a hide-out at Seri Top in Marmat area in Doda. PTI

Pakistan UAV violates Indian airspace

Poonch (Jammu), December 7
A Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) today intruded into the Poonch sector and hovered for 15 minutes in the border areas before returning to the other side across the LoC, official sources said here.

The UAV was seen entering the Indian side in the Poonch sector via the Digwar area around 6.15 p.m. and after flying for 15 minutes, crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) around 6.30 pm they said.

The UAV could not be targeted by the security forces as it was flying high, the sources said adding such UAVs were sent for spying.

Senior Superintendent of Police Poonch Kamal Saini told UNI on the phone that the Pakistani UAV flew over Poonch town several times.

Dr Saini said there was panic in the town and confusion among security forces who took the UAV to be their own aircraft. Pakistani troops began heavy shelling at the same time.

The plane was not visible to the naked eye and only its sound was audible in the dark sky, the SSP said.

However, no senior defence officer was available for comment. PTI, UNI