M A I N   N E W S

17 Pak intruders shot
Army steps up vigil along border

Srinagar, October 4
Stepping up anti-insurgency operations, the Army shot dead 17 Pakistani infiltrators along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, a defence spokesman said today.

Elsewhere in the state, two militants and a Special Police Officer were among eight persons killed since last night.

Four infiltrators each were shot dead in Poonch, Baramulla and Lolab, three in Kupwara and two in Udhampur, a defence spokesman said. A large number of arms and ammunition were recovered from them.

The ultras, all Pakistani nationals, belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashker-e-Toiba, Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami and Hizbul Mujahideen, the spokesman said.

A group of armed militants sneaked into Mendhar via Balnoi in Poonch last night and were challenged by army personnel patrolling the area. In the ensuing exchange of fire, four militants were killed. Four rifles and three rocket propelled guns were recovered from the infiltrators, he said.

Two infiltrators were shot dead in Shajru area of Mahore in Udhampur district. Two AK rifles and some ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.

Four militants were killed in Gurez in Baramulla, he said adding that in the past one week 24 ultras have been shot dead by the Army in the area.

Pika machine guns, AK assault rifles and grenades were among the arms and ammunition recovered from other militants.

A militant was killed in an encounter with the BSF during search operations at Neelu in Kulgam area of Anantnag district today, an official spokesman said.

Security forces killed another militant, identified as Sajjad Ahmad alias Amir Khan of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, (POK) during combing operations in Chandoosa area of Baramulla district. An AK rifle, three magazines, 34 rounds, a pistol, two pistol magazines, four pistol rounds, a wireless set and two identity cards were recovered from the slain ultra who was associated with Al-Burq outfit, the spokesman said.

Militants shot dead two village defence committee members, Gambir Chand and Rakesh Kumar, and wounded another at Rabshero Dhar in Thathri area of Doda district, he said. SPO Rajinder Singh and a civilian Suresh Kumar were killed by ultras at Shan Dalian village of the same district.

Militants killed one Tanveer Ahmad in Madmadu forest of Kupwara district, while an unidentified body was picked up by the police from Surimatinar in Rajouri district.

Militants opened fire on a police search party at Jamola village in Rajouri district injuring three SPOs. The police party retaliated but the militants escaped. A hunt has been launched to nab them, the spokesman said.

Two civilians were injured in a fierce gunbattle between militants and the Army at Nasrullahpora village in Badgam today. The encounter broke out around 11 am when the troops of Rashtriya Rifles raided the village in search of militants.

Meanwhile, security forces recovered 9 kg of RDX, 5 RPG rockets with boosters, 36 rounds of Pika gun, four UBGL grenades, three IED boxes, 14 grenades and some Pak made medicines from a militant hideout at Draba Batangliwala in Surankote area of Poonch district. — PTI