Two Army Majors, militant commander among 6 killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 3 (UNI) Two army officers and four militants, including a self styled divisional commander of Al-Badr outfit, were killed and three soldiers wounded in the Kashmir Valley overnight.

A defence ministry spokesman said an encounter was ensued after militants attacked an army patrol of 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Tangmarg in north Kashmir district of Baramulla yesterday afternoon.

Reinforcement was rushed to the area from nearby camps and the entire village was cordoned off, he said adding militants were hiding in a number of houses. The civilians were rescued to safer places before the final assault was launched against the militants.

In the clash, which was still going on, an Major of 34 RR K P Vinay, and three Al-Badr militants were killed. One of the slain militant has been identified as divisional commander of the Al-Badr.

He said three soldiers, including Major D R Raman, a resident of Channai, were wounded in the battle. Major Raman later died in the base hospital here, he said.

About the number of militants still trapped in the village, the spokesman said the exact number was not known.

He said when a search party entered to clear the area, they were again fired upon by militants hiding in a house. They were hiding in several houses, he said, adding the exact number of slain militants would be known only after the operation is over.

A police spokesman said an encounter was took place between militants and security forces at litter Pulwama in south Kashmir early today.

In the encounter, an unidentified militant was killed, he said some arms and ammunition were also recovered from the encounter site.

UNI