Four Jawans, one Pak militant killed in fierce encounter in Poonch

JAMMU, Oct 10 (UNI) Four army personnel, including an Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), and a hardcore foreign Lashkar-Toiba terrorist were killed in a gun battle between security forces and terrorist at Surankote in Poonch district.

An army spokesperson told UNI that 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 them down.

The operation converted into fierce gun battle between troops and a Pakistani militant. The operation was still on when reports last came in, Additional Forces have been rushed to the area.

Four armymen, including a JCO, were killed while security forces gunned down an ''area commander'' of Lashkar-Toiba, who was later identified as Abu Ali Zabran, a Pakistani citizen.

Sources said one more militant was hiding at the location.

Security forces have recovered arms and ammunition including an AK rifle, three magazines, 101 AK rounds, two grenades and two radio sets from the site.

UNI HGV VD RN1830