Soldier, LeT militant among 6 killed and six jawans injured in J

Srinagar, Mar 26 (UNI) A soldier and a militant of Pakistan based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed and six jawans were injured in an encounter on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir today.

Two militants were among four people killed and two ultras surrendered in separate parts of the state overnight, an official spokesman said.

A defence ministry spokesman told UNI militants suddenly appeared from a bylane at Fristabal Pampore, about 12 km from here in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, and started indiscriminate firing on an army convoy at 0915 hours.

He said the army personnel, on their way from Srinagar to Jammu, returned the fire in a very controlled manner and in the encounter, a soldier died and six others were wounded.

He said one militant was also killed in the return fire by security forces. The slain militant was identified as Abu Abdullah, a resident of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

Official sources said traffic on the highway was suspended for about an hour due to the attack.

This was the first attack by militants in the area after about two years.

He said militants attacked a built up area to provoke security forces. However, due to a professionally accurate operation, the troops avoided any civilian casualties foiling the evil designs of militants.

A police handout issued here this evening said one AK rifle and four magzines were seized from the slain militant.

Another militant managed to escape, it said.

Pakistan based LeT has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Official sources said one body was recovered from Dalgate area of the city last night.

They said security forces gunned down two militants in an encounter at Handwara in the frontier district of Kupwara last night. An encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants in which one soldier was injured.

Spokesman said militants strangulated to death one Wasim Akram at Sanglot Harni in Poonch district of Jammu region. Two militants surrendered at kali post in Uri last evening.

UNI BAS YA BD1912