An official spokesman said three foreign militants were shot dead by the security forces in an encounter at Khumriyal in the frontier district of Kupwara late last night.

The encounter ensued after a patrol party was attacked by the militants, he said.

Three AK rifles, nine magazines, eight hand grenades, four RPG, four RPG rounds, one wireless set and 63 rounds were seized from the possession of the slain militants, he said.

The slain militants have been identified as — Shahid Rasool of Sargoda in Pakistan, Abu Abdul Rehman and Abu Saif-ullah both resident of Pilan in Pakistan.

The spokesman said militants shot dead NC leader Mohammad Aslam at Bathian last evening.

The security forces killed another foreign militant Maqbool alias Abu Khalid of Afghanistan, during an encounter at Kachama Trehgam today.

An AL rifle, two magazines, two grenades and 10 rounds were seized from him.

Militants shot at and wounded a selection grade constable Abdul Rashid near the Fire Services crossing Batmaloo last evening. He was immediately rushed to hospital where he succumbed.

Militants threw a hand grenade towards the security forces at the Kokernag bus stand last evening. However, the grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the roadside causing injuries to 12 persons.

A security jawan was injured in an encounter with militants at Armulla Pulwama today.

The security forces apprehended a militant and seized arms and ammunition during overnight operations across the Valley which include an AK rifle, three grenades, two magazines, three UBGL and 37 rounds, the spokesman said.

Jammu: Two Special Police Officers (SPOs) were killed in Doda district of Jammu division where the security forces also seized 55 kg of explosives since yesterday, official sources said today.

Two SPOs were killed at their post in Gandoh in Doda district when a grenade went off accidentally while they were neutralising weapons seized from a militant hideout yesterday. The deceased have been identified as Ram Rattan and Kamraj, the sources said.

The security forces, during search operations, seized a huge quantity of explosives and other material meant for making IEDs in the Banihal area of Doda district last evening, a defence spokesman said.

The cache included 55 kg of explosives, five electronic detonators, seven electric receivers, one nine-volt battery, one tester switch, 12 pencil cells, 10 kg of urea and five litres of engine oil, he said.

In intensified encounters, attacks, bomb explosions and massacres, 220 people were killed and 272 injured in over 400 militancy-related incidents in Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Jammu and Kathua districts, police sources said here today.

Of these, 187 people, including 82 militants, 69 security personnel and 36 civilians, were killed and 95 security personnel and 94 civilians wounded in 51 major attacks, the sources said.

Pakistani militants launched fidayeen attacks on police posts and Army camps during the period that led to the killing of 45 security personnel and two civilians, including the recent attacks on the Sunjwan Army camp on June 28 and the Tanda Army camp on July 22, the sources said.

“The militants have increased the attacks on the security forces and the police during the past four months on the directions of their mentors from across the border in the south of the Pir Panjal range,” they said.

The security forces launched massive anti-insurgency operations, killing 82 militants, including the slaying of 11 militants at Balnoi in Surankote on April 20, the elimination of 14 militants at Hilkaka on April 22 and killing of 10 militants at Hari Bhudda in Surankote on June 21, the sources said, adding that among them was the first Hindu Kashmiri terrorist to have been killed.

Militants targetted civilians, the attacks including the recent blast at Katra in which six pilgrims were killed and 58 injured. The militants massacred six Gujjars in Rajouri on May 15, followed by the killing of five Hindus in Noushera on July 7, and five Gujjars at Chowki Chora on May 26.

Welcoming hardline Pakistani lawmaker Fazlur Rahman’s call to militants to stop operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat Chairman Maulana Mohammad Ansari said: “We welcome any move for joint ceasefire which would create a conducive atmosphere for the Indo-Pak talks.”

“The Hurriyat supports the move of cessation of hostilities but it should be made by all sides. New Delhi should send all its security forces back to barracks and militants should down their guns,” he said reacting to the call for a ceasefire by Mr Rahman after returning home from a trip to India.

The Hurriyat wants that the talks between India and Pakistan should be held at the earliest.

“The declaration of truce alone will not help. Much more needs to be done for creating a conducive atmosphere for talks,” Mr Ansari said.

“Rahman’s suggestion is welcome, yet more needs to be done. Line of Control should be made porous to facilitate the movement of people living in the two parts of the state. This will be more powerful confidence building measure than ceasefire,” he said.

The Hurriyat chief said, “We feel that both New Delhi and Islamabad are sincere in breaking the ice this time. They are moving in the right direction. Our stand is clear that we welcome any talk process between the two countries.”

Asserting that the issue cannot be resolved till people of Kashmir are involved in the talks, he, however, said to begin with India and Pakistan could start dialogue and Kashmiris could be included in it at a later stage.

On the Simla Agreement, he said it couldn't become the basis for the resolution of the dispute since it had failed to bring a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue.

On his recent meeting with a two-member team from the US Embassy in New Delhi, Mr Ansari said he had categorically told American officials that “we will not like the USA to act as a policeman. But if they are sincere enough and want to help us like friends we will welcome that step.”