Two Pakistani militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 24 (UNI) Troops killed two self-styled Pakistani commanders of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit while two security force personnel were wounded in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, a defence spokesman said today.

He said on a tip-off that militants were hiding in Koshi village in Bandipora district, personnel of 23 Punjab, 10 Para and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in a joint operation, cordoned off the area and started house-to-house searches and plugging off all exit routes.

As the troops reached a particular house, the militants hiding there opened indiscriminate fire on them. The fire was returned and in the ensuing gun-battle, two Jaish commanders were killed.

The slain militants were identified as self-styled district commander Saqib and battalion commander Abu Uzafa alias Ghazi Baba.

Both the killed militants were residents of Pakistan, the spokesman said, adding the search operation in the area was still in progress when reports last came in.

A police spokesman said during the intervening night of October 23-24, an encounter took place between security forces and militants at Daryal Daraj in Budhal area of Doda district of Jammu region.

A security personnel sustained injuries during the gunfight.

The exchange of fire was still going on when reports last came in, the spokesman added.

A security personnel was wounded in another encounter with militants at Kinoo Kithar in Rajouri district of Jammu region today.

UNI