Four jawans, one militant killed in fierce encounter in Poonch

Jammu, Oct 10 (UNI) Four army personnel including an junior Commissioned officer (JCO) and a hardcore Lashkar-Toiba militant were killed in a gun battle between security forces and terrorist at Surankote in Poonch district today.

An army spokesperson told uni that on recieving information about presence of militants in chamraid-andarwali doke area of surankote tehsil this moring, troops of 25 rashtriya rifles and 16 rashtriya rifles cordoned off the area to track down the militants.

The operation converted into fierce gun battle between troops and a pakistani militant. The operation was still on when last report came in and additional forces have been despateched.

Four jawans, includning the JCO, were killed while security forces gunned down a area commander of Lashkar-Toiba, who was identified as Abu Ali Zabran, a Pakistani citizen.

Sources further said one more militant was hiding at the location. Further details were awaited.

UNI HSV VD RK1655