Militants kill five, injure 19 in J

Srinagar, June 16 (UNI) Militants killed five persons and injured 19 others, including a senior police officer and a National Conference leader, in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said the militants fired upon Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Fareed Khan near Jamia Mosque at Bandipora this afternoon when he was on his way to office, after offering Friday prayers.

Mr Khan and four others, including three of his body guards and two civilians were injured in the shootout, he said and added that two civilians Mohammad Subhan and Nazir Ahmad were declared brought dead in the hospital. The condition of the three injured police personnel, admitted to hospital, is stated to be critical.

Militants fired upon Ali Mohammad Magray, an NC block president of Keygam Kupwara, near the crowded general bus stand at Batamaloo near here this afternoon at 1340 hours, the sources said.

Magray and one Mohammad Shakoor Mugloo, a Special Police Officer (SPO) were injured in the shootout. They were later admitted to hospital.

Sources said one Bilal Ahmad Ganai, District Srinagar president of Salavation Movement, who was critically wounded by unidentified gunmen at Chatabal in the down town city on June 13 evening, died in the hospital.

Militants kidnapped and later killed one Gulam Nabi Wani by slitting his throat at Bachnar Dalwan in the central Kashmir district of Badgam.

One Mohammad Ayub Banday was shot at and critically wounded by militants at Beerwah bus stand today. He was hospitalised.

A Jammu report that a group of militants entered Mora Dunga village early in the morning, cordoned it off and asked the villagers, including women and children, to assemble in a field.

According to Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police G L Sharma the militants then dragged out Abdul Ahad Magray and beheaded him.

He said the militants also severed the ears, noses and tongues of four men, while nine others were severely thrashed up and left bleeding profusely.

Roshan Din and Ghulam Rasool lost their ears and tongue, while two others, who were not identified, lost their noses.

Of the nine persons who were manhandled, the condition of four was said to be critical. Eight of the injured were shifted to the government medical college here late last night.

Militants also set ablaze eleven 'dhoks' (temporary shelters) in the village, before fleeing, the SSP said.

Three militants were recently killed in the area in an encounter, which is suspected be the reason behind the attack on the villagers.

UNI BAS RA BST1948