Srinagar, May 6
Ten persons, including nine militants, were killed and 15 others wounded even as security forces busted two hide-outs and arrested three militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours.
An official spokesman said militants hurled a hand grenade at a police vehicle near the crowded Pulwama bus stand today, which missed the target and exploded on the roadside, causing injuring 12 persons. One of the injured later died on way to the hospital.
The condition of some was stated to be critical.
Official sources said a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) went off near the Lasjan bridge on Nowgam bypass today, injuring four persons.
A truck was also damaged in the blast.
A report from Baramula said a soldier was killed when militants attacked a patrol party at Wadar Handwara in Kupwara today and later escaped into the forest.
The security forces killed a militant of the Harkat-ul-Jehad-Islami Huzeefa Aziz of Pakistan at Sukh Saraie Shopian in Pulwama district last night. One AK rifle, four magazines, 96 rounds of ammunition and a wireless set were recovered from him.
Six hardcore terrorists were killed in three encounters, two of which are still going on, in Doda and Poonch districts of Jammu region on Tuesday.
Defence spokesman Lieut-Col Bhanwar Rathore said acting on a tip-off, the security forces launched a search operation in the Banihal area of Doda district.
As they zeroed in on the target the ultras opened fire on them with automatic weapons. In the ensuing gunbattle three ultras were shot dead.
In another encounter at Kishtwar area of the same district, the security forces shot dead two ultras.
Both encounters were going on when reports last came in.
Elsewhere, the security forces shot dead a hardcore terrorist in Surankote area of Poonch district today, the spokesman added.
Two Pakistani militants, including a divisional commander of Jamat-e-Mujahideen (JeM), were killed by security forces in Choki Mohra area of Rajouri district on Monday, according to official sources.
The slain militants were identified as Saifullah, divisional commander, JeM and Qadir Khan, both of Pakistan, the sources said.
The recoveries made from the encounter site included two AK rifles, three magazines, seven grenades, three wireless sets, two IEDs, 172 rounds and three diaries, they said.
Meanwhile, reports from Poonch district said ultras set on fire eight Muslim houses at Marah village in Surankote tehsil on Monday, the sources said, adding that there was no casuality as the inmates had shifted to another village.
UNI, PTI
