Srinagar, February 8
Nineteen people, including nine militants and three soldiers, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours.
An official spokesman said three militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Tenka village in the Banihal area of the Jammu region today.
The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants with automatic weapons, he added.
Giving details about the fierce encounter which took place at Tetvas Behak near Bandipora last night, he said six militants and three soldiers were killed in the gunfight.
Bodies of five civilians were also recovered from the site of the encounter, he added.
Villagers demonstrated against the killings and took the bodies to Bandipora.
They resorted to stone-pelting on the police station, smashing windowpanes. One police vehicle was also set on fire.
Police has started investigations into the circumstances leading to the killing of the civilians, he said.
One more person, who was injured in a grenade blast at Shopian yesterday, died in the hospital today. —
UNI
