One militant killed, major tragedy averted in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 31 (UNI) A militant was killed and another was trapped inside a house while police averted a major tragedy in the Kashmir valley overnight.

A defence spokesman said a fire-fight ensued at Tral, in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, when troops challenged two militants hiding inside a house.

Two militants were killed in the same area yesterday in a similar encounter, he said.

The spokesman said militants inside the house started firing when asked to surrender by troops. who retaliated and in the exchange of fire one militant was killed.

Another militant was still firing from inside the house, he said.

Official sources said militants tonight hurled a hand grenade towards security forces at Sopore in Baramulla district of north Kashmir last night. However, the grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the road side injuring 14 persons. The injured were hospitalised.

Sources said police averted a major tragedy when they detected an Improvised Explosive Device in the washroom of a mosque Gole market in the downtown city.

The bomb disposal squad was immediately summoned which defused the IED.

UNI BAS SB RN1730