Tourist from MP among 7 killed in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, May 23 (UNI) A tourist from Madhya Pradesh and three militants were among seven people killed in the Jammu and Kashmir overnight, official sources said.

They said Kanya Lal, a tourist from Ratnam, Madhya Pradesh who was injured in a grenade attack at Soura last night, died in the hospital in the early hours today. Three other tourists--Murli Dhar, and his wife Saroja Dhar and Kavita, daughter of Kanya Lal were injured in the incident. The tourists were on their way to Srinagar from Sonmarg.

Another person Mirza Tanveer, who was injured in a grenade blast at Fateh Kadal in the down town city yesterday afternoon, also died in the hospital.

Security forces gunned down two militants in an encounter during a search operation at Hari Versun forest in the frontier district of Kupwara today. Two AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

Sources said a militant was also killed and two civilians identified as Mohammad Azhar, a local priest and Sajjad Ahmad were injured in a night-long encounter at Handwara in the frontier district of Kupwara.

The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants. One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

Sources said people at Cherkote Lolab took to streets this morning in protest against the alleged killing of a villager, Ali Mohammad Dar, by security forces.

The demonstrators alleged that Dar was on his way to his field when security forces shot him dead without any provocation.

However, sources added that the villages was killed due to mistaken identity.

Sources said militants abducted one Tariq Hussain and later killed him at Thanala Bhaderwah in Doda district of Jammu region today.

Security forces recovered 10 UBGLs and four hand grenade from a bathroom of bus stand at Sopore last night. However, no one was arrested.

Militants today hurled a hand grenade towards Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) picket near SMHS hospital. However, it did not exploded and was later defused.

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