7 militants killed in J&K

SRINAGAR, Feb 2 (PTI) — Seven militants, including a Pakistani intruder, were killed while the security forces foiled an infiltration attempt of militants in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening.

Meanwhile, the Army operation at Gundi Rehman in the Haran area of Ganderbal on the outskirts of Srinagar entered second day today with reports of intermittent firing between troops and hiding ultras.

The operation was still going on when last reports were received, official sources said, adding that the body of an unidentified militant was recovered from the village today. An AK assault rifle and some ammunition were seized from him.

An official spokesman said the security forces foiled an attempt of Pakistan-backed militants to infiltrate into the state from the Lam sector in Rajouri district last night.

A Pakistani intruder was killed in the attempt while his associates managed to slip back after they were intercepted by the security forces and engaged in an encounter.

Three militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Guraj Sankari in the Darhal area of Rajouri yesterday. An AK assault rifle, two pistols, three grenades, five magazines and a bayonet were recovered from them.

A militant was killed in the retaliatory action of the security forces after they were fired by militants at Zowoora-Ganiepora in Pulwama district last night.

The police said a Pakistan-trained militant of banned Hizbul Mujahideen was killed in an encounter at Chak-e-Paristan in Shopian today.

JAMMU: Night curfew has been imposed in parts of Poonch district and the sale, import and storage of clothes resembling the Army's combat uniform banned in the district for a month, an official spokesman said here on Tuesday.

District Magistrate M.S. Khan imposed night curfew in Surankote Tehsil, Soir Kawaja and Shindara areas of Haveli Tehsil on Tuesday under the Section 144 of the Cr PC.

The curfew would remain in force from 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. to check the movement of militants at night. The ban on combat uniforms would prevent them from operating under the guise of Army men, he added.

In case of an emergency residents should approach the nearest security picket.

Night curfew is already in force in the 5 km-stretch along the Line of Control in the district.

Work in J&K offices hit

SRINAGAR, Feb 2 (PTI) — Work in government offices, semi-government institutions and public undertakings was affected in the Kashmir valley as the employees went on a two-day pen-down strike yesterday, ignoring the government’s warning that stern action would be taken against those joining the stir, employees’ union sources said.

The employees went on strike in response to the call by the government employees conference and the state employees conference to protest the proposed move of the state government to reduce the retirement age of its employees from 58 to 55 years.

The government had warned the employees not to go on strike failing which stern action would be taken against them.

Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, however, said "almost all offices and public sector undertakings functioned normally".

Departments of Food and Supplies, Public Health, Engineering and Power functioned normally.

The Divisional Commissioner clarified there was no proposal under consideration to reduce the retirement age. He convened a meeting of divisional heads of the departments and took stock of the attendance in government offices and public sector institutions. He asked them to furnish a list of those who were unauthorisedly absent from duty yesterday.