Three Lashkar militants among seven killed in J&K

Srinagar, Sep 14 (UNI) Seven people, including three militants of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit, were killed across Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

He said a gun-battle erupted between militants and security forces at Tarnalan Dhar Sarwana in Kishtwar district of Jammu region last evening.

In the ensuing gunfight, security forces gunned down two Lashkar militants Lal Din alias Siddiqui and Umar Din. Siddiqui was an area commander of the Pakistan-based LeT outfit, the spokesman added.

The spokesman said two AK rifles, five magazines, 130 rounds, one .303 rifle, 31 rounds, one hand grenade and one wireless set were seized from the possession of the slain militants.

In the exchange of fire, he said two porters working with the security forces -- Ghulam Qadir Gujjar and Qasim Din Gujjar -- also lost their lives.

The spokesman said during the intervening night of September 13-14, militants entered the houses of Ghulam Nabi, 30, and Mohammad Iqbal, 28, at Dalwa Gool in Ramban district of Jammu region and killed them on the spot.

An encounter took place between security forces and militants at Tujjar Sharief in Sopore area of Baramulla district this morning.

In the ensuing gunfight, a Lashkar militant was killed, the spokesman said, adding he was a Pakistani national. One AK rifle and two magazines were seized from his possession.

Militants fired upon 50-year-old Mohammad Abdullah Dar at Matibugh in Yaripora area of Kulgam district last evening, causing injuries to his legs. He has been hospitalised.

The spokesman said security forces busted a militant hideout in the forest area of Khar Ban Behak Nar in Kupwara district. One RPG, seven RPG boosters, one rifle, one grenade launching tube, six UBGL grenades, 13 AK magazines, one day sight of rifle grenade launcher, four remote control of IEDs and three wireless sets with antenna were seized from the hideout, he added.

UNI