3 soldiers, 3 ultras among 7 killed in J and K

Srinagar, Aug 7 (UNI) Three security force personnel and equal number of militants, including a self-styled HM commander, were among seven people killed in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, official sources said today.

They said troops of 1 Rashitriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint operation at village Sherpora, Kulgam, in south Kashmir this morning.

As the troops were about to storm a particular house, militants attacked them. The fire was returned by the security forces and in the encounter, one security jawan was killed and two others were injured.

A report said later that both the militants, hiding in a house, were killed in retaliatory firing.

However, another report said that three villagers were taken hostage by militants to enable safe passage for themselves.

Two soldiers were killed and another was wounded when militants ambushed a security force patrol party at Waripora Qazigund in Anantnag district this morning. Militants later managed to escape, they said.

Security forces however, killed two militants in an encounter at Zaripora, Kulgam, last night. The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants, sources said. The slain militants, included a self styled Battalion Commander Moteen Ahmad of Hizbul Mujahideen.

A militant of Harkat-e-Jehad-Islami was also gunned down by the security forces at Kishtwar in Jammu region last night.

They said one Ghulam Ahmad Nengroo was killed by militants after his abduction at Kulgam early this morning.

UNI BAS DKA VV1542