Soldier, 4 militants among 6 killed in J and K

Srinagar, May 31 (UNI) A soldier and four militants were among six people killed 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.

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

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

An official spokesman said two militants and a soldier were killed and three others, including two jawans, were injured in the firing which was still going on when the reports last came in.

Sources said militants 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.

Militants kidnapped and later killed one Allah Din in his Chatroo house in Doda distict of Jammu region last night.

A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces during a search operation at Morah Topa in Poonch district today.

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.

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