PoK ultra among two killed, six wounded, one abducted in J

Srinagar, Oct 6 (UNI) Two people, including a militant from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), were killed and six others wounded while ultras abducted a contractor in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, a police spokesman said today.

The Jammu and Kashmir police today claimed have foiled a bid by Hizbul Mujahideen militants to target the national highway by planting deadly explosives at various places along the 300-km road.

The spokesman said militants hurled a hand grenade towards the security forces at the general bus stand at Batamaloo at around 1700 hrs this evening.

However, the grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the roadside resulting in the on-the-spot death of one civilian, identified as Firdous Ahmed Wani, a resident of Channapora, and injuries to six pedestrians, he added. The wounded have been hospitalised.

The spokesman said one militant was killed by security forces in an encounter at Zainpora, Sopore in Baramulla district of north Kashmir early this morning.

The slain militant was identified as Mohammad Zair Bhat, a resident of Chik Bela in Hatiyar tehsil of Muzaffarabad district in PoK, he added. An AK rifle, two magazines, 68 rounds and two hand grenades were seized from him.

The spokesman said militants abducted a contractor, Abdul Ghani Wani, from his home at Shokbaba, Arin in Bandipora area of Baramulla district on the intervening night of October 5-6.

He said the Anantnag police busted a Hizbul Mujahideen module by arresting two militants who were planning to target the national highway by planting Improvised Explosive devices (IEDs) at various places along the route.

On a specific information, he said police arrested two Hizb militants -- Yasin Ahmad Dar and Dildar Ahmad -- and seized 10 kg IED from them.

The spokesman said the two militants along with their other associates were planning to target the national highway.

The other two militants of the module -- Nazir Ahmad Dar and Mehraj Ahmed Dar -- were absconding, he added.

The spokesman said this was done at the behest of Hizb Divisional Commander Suhail Faisal and District Commander Tahir Bhat.

UNI AG VD HS1911