Militants strangulate kidnapped youth

Jammu, Mar 25 (UNI) A 17-year-old youth was strangulated by suspected terrorists after being kidnapped from his home in Poonch district last night.

According to sources two men came to the house of Sadhik Panch, in Sangiot, five mm North East of Bhimber Wali Gali in Poonch district and took his son, Wasim Akram, with them to show the route to Chappar Barally at 2200 hrs last night.

When the boy did not return home, the villagers started searching in the morning. Wasim Akram's dead body was recovered from a ditch at 1330 hrs today.

Rashtriya Rifles personnel launched a search for the assailants while Gursal police station informed that a police investigation was in progress.

In another incident, based on intelligence information, the security forces recovered a cache of arms from a ditch wrapped in polythene at Khaka, five km South East of Manjakot this afternoon, which included Pika ammunition, 28 rounds AK ammunition, one Electric detonator and one pouch.

Meanwhile, the security forces busted a militant hideout last night in Poonch district. However the militants fled from the spot taking advantage of darkness. Later four Mortar Bomb of 82 MM, two Booster RPG, 1200 AK rounds, one magazine, one shawl, two blankets and one raincoat were recovered.

One powerful bomb explosion took place in a lane at Iqbal Nagar under Surankote police station in Poonch district. No casualty was reported in the incidents but one Maruti Car and the shutter of a shop were damaged.

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