Abducted woman, Lashkar militant killed in J

Srinagar, Dec 3 (UNI) An abducted woman and a Pakistani militant of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed while security forces seized arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

He said a fierce gunbattle erupted between security forces and militants at Barshalla in Doda district of Jammu region today.

In the exchange of fire, he said a woman, identified as Shama Akhtar, a resident of Prem Magar in Doda district, got killed. She was abducted by militants some time ago and kept in a hideout.

The spokesman said the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint operation at Wangund, Tailbal in Harwan area on the city outskirts late last night.

As the search of the area was on, security forces were attacked by militants with automatic weapons, he said, adding the fire was effectively retaliated.

In the ensuing gunbattle, a Pakistani militant, identified as Abu Shakir, was killed. An AK-47 rifle, two magazines, one pouch and one UBGL were seized from the encounter site, the spokesman said.

Militants shot at and wounded 23-year-old Showkat Ahmed Mir, a resident of Lone Hari in Kupwara district, at Tujar Sharief in Sopore area of Baramulla district last night, he added. Mir was hospitalised.

During a search operation, the spokesman said security forces smashed a militant hideout at Taina Forests in Kamalkote area of Rajouri district in Jammu region last night.

They seized .303 rifle, two hand grenades, two AK magazines, 60 AK rounds, one antenna, one wireless set, three cassettes and a book of the Al badr militant outfit.

The spokesman said security forces apprehended two people from the forest area of Behari Rakh in Mendhar of Poonch district. Two hand grenades were seized from their possession, he added.

UNI AG PK KP1942