Srinagar, October 17
Six Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including its self-styled group commander Abdul Rehman, and three Army personnel were killed in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesman said today.

Four Pakistani militants and an Army personnel were killed in Rajwar forests in Kupwara district while two ultras and an equal number of Army jawans were killed in Anantnag today, the spokesman said.

On the basis of intelligence reports about militants hiding in the area, troops of Seven Sector Rashtria Rifles and one para jointly launched an operation in Rajwad forest last evening, he said.

In the ensuing gunbattle four militants, identified as Abdul Rehman, group commander of Lashker, Abu Marsad, Muslim Jehangir and Qasim and an Army jawan were killed, he said, adding that all of the militants were Pakistani nationals.

Arms and ammunition, including four AK rifles, their 11 magazines, 440 rounds, 10 handgrenades and a radio set were seized from the encounter site, the spokesman said.

In another encounter at Malipora-Qazigund in Anantnag district, two LeT militants and two Army jawans were killed. One of the slain militants was identified as Gulzar Ahmed Parray, a resident of Baloosa-Bugam.

The spokesman said a member of a family was killed and three others were injured when Hizbul Mujahideen militants indiscriminately fired on them after intruding into their house at Mohamadpora Kulgam in Anantnag district this morning.

The houseowner, Abdul Hamid Mantoo, his wife Shameema and two sons — Bilal Ahmed and Sheraz Ahmed — were injured. They were shifted to hospital where Sheraz succumbed to her injuries, the spokesman said.

He said security forces arrested one militant at Awgam-Kulgam in Anantnag district after recovering an improvised explosive device from his house.

Security forces recovered 1.5 kg of explosives and some incriminating documents from a motor cycle at Rang-Opattan in Baramula district last evening, the spokesman said, adding that the owner of the motor cycle was arrested.

He said security forces recovered 59 AK rounds, 16 pika rounds and one AK magazine from a militant hideout in Rajouri sector last evening. — PTI

Srinagar, October 17
The Sahara Airlines and Indian Lines Ltd. today announced application of an apex package for Srinagar airport for travel to and from Srinagar to Delhi as well.

This, according to an official spokesman, had been done on the intervention of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for inclusion of the airport under special apex fares. This had been a long-pending demand of travellers and traders and other sections belonging to various walks of life.

During his recent visit to Kolkata, the Chief Minister attended the 53rd Annual Travel Association of India convention and interacted with various heads of national and private airlines. He persuaded them that apex fares should be available to the travellers of Srinagar as well.

With the announcement of these fares, the normal air tariff for Srinagar-Delhi and vice versa, which was Rs 5,205 per individual for Sahara Airlines and Indian Airlines has now been reduced to Rs 2,900 in case the apex fare scheme provisions are availed by individual travellers.

In addition, Sahara Airlines has also introduced a special point-to-point reduced fares for travel to or from Srinagar to Bombay, Kolkota, Chennai and Bangalore. The new fares are cheaper by about 30 per cent than the existing rates. Accordingly, the Srinagar to Bombay fare, which at present is Rs 11,860 has been reduced to Rs 8,250 only in case the Sahara Airlines package is availed.

Similarly, the Srinagar-Kolkata fare, which is Rs 13,710 would now be Rs 10,440 only and for Bangalore it has been reduced to Rs 13,860 from Rs 15,910. Under the scheme, Sahara has also reduced airfare from Rs 13,710 to Rs 9,625 from Srinagar to Hyderabad and vice versa.

Thanking Indian Airlines and Sahara Airlines for including Srinagar under the schemes with immediate effect, the Chief Minister said that this would strengthen the tourist industry in Jammu and Kashmir.