Major blaze in Kupwara
SRINAGAR, Nov 9 — A devastating fire destroyed 55 structures, including 27 residential houses, in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir today.

3 militants killed, 5 nabbed in valley

SRINAGAR, Nov 9 (UNI) — At least three persons, reportedly militants, were killed in a gunbattle with the security forces at Sangrama on the Srinagar-Uri highway this afternoon while the Jammu and Kashmir Police special operation group (SOG) arrested five militants, including a self-styled group commander, elsewhere in the valley during the past 24 hours.

A Baramula report said militants attacked a security force patrol at Sangrama on the Srinagar-Uri highway around 3 pm with automatic weapons. The exchange of fire was continuing when the last reports came in.

Reports said three bodies had been recovered from near the encounter site.

Traffic on the highway was suspended and hundreds of vehicles were stranded.

An official spokesman said militants hurled a hand grenade on a security force vehicle at the Badyari crossing on the banks of famed Dal Lake last evening. However, the grenade exploded on the roadside, causing injuries to three pedestrians. A Maruti car was also damaged in the blast.

Militants attacked the house of Ms Asifa Afroza, at Anantnag last evening. However, guards deployed there returned the fire. There were no reports of any casualties.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police special operation group arrested five militants including a self-styled group commander of a banned outfit, and seized some arms and ammunition across the valley during overnight operations.

Major blaze in Kupwara

SRINAGAR, Nov 9 (PTI) — A devastating fire destroyed 55 structures, including 27 residential houses, in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir today.

There was no loss of human life but several bovines died in the blaze, official sources said here.

A residential house at Panzoam village of the district "accidentially" caught fire, which spread to nearby houses and cowsheds in no time, they said.