Accused in Kulhand massacre escapes security forces' dragnet

Jammu, Aug 5 (UNI) Prime accused in the Kulhand massacre of April 31 Ashraf Ganai, who was cornered by security forces in a house at Gundana in Doda district, managed to escape along from the site, defence sources confirmed here.

Reports in a section of media said three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists including Ashraf, had been gunned down in a fierce encounter with army and police on Thursday night.

''We recovered only one body from the house where the terrorists had taken shelter, which was identified as that of a Pakistani citizen,'' Army sources said, denying the report of three LeT militants been kiled.

They said it was possible that Ganai managed to flee from the site, along with three of his associates, taking advantage of the incessant rain in the area.

Ganai, leading a group of half-a-dozen ultras, had attacked Kulhand village on the intervening night of April 31 and May 1, killing 18 people, all Hindus.

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