Militants slaughtered a student, forces gun down 3 ultras in J

Srinagar, July 18 (UNI) Militants killed an eleventh class student in the presence of a large number of people in south Kashmir, while elsewhere in the state security forces gunned down three ultras and arrested as many overnight, official sources said.

They said a group of five militants kidnapped Mukhtar Ahmad Sheikh during a cricket match at Kulgam in south Kashmir district of Anantnag last afternoon.

Militants later took the boy to his village Nowgam Shopian tied his hands and legs and killed him in the presence of a large number of people, including women.

After the incident the militants managed to escape.

Meanwhile, an official spokesman said security forces gunned down two militants in an encounter at Manjakote in Rajouri district of Jammu region early hours today. The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants, he said.

Another militant Mohammad Shafi was killed in another similar encounter at Bandas Kulhand in Doda district today. Later one UBGL with three grenades, one pistol, one wireless set and 25 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the slain militant.

Also, a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Tariq alias Sadiq was arrested after a brief encounter at Gool in Udhampur district last night.

Spokesman said an encounter took place between the militants and police at Gool in which one militant was injured who later managed to escape. However, police arrested Tariq, a dreaded militant, active in the area since 2000 and was wanted in several militancy related incidents. One AK rifle, four magazines, 117 rounds of ammunition, one hand grenade and one wireless set were recovered from the posession of the militant.

Two more militant were arrested alongwith five hand grenades, 24 rounds of ammunition and two IED circuits at Batapora in Baramulla district.

UNI BAS PKS ND1930