Two militants, 65-year-old man killed; major arms haul in J

Srinagar, Dec 17 (UNI) Two militants and a 65-year-old man were killed in separate incidents while security forces seized a large cache of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

He said a gun-battle erupted between security forces and the militants at Gani Salotri Top in Poonch district of Jammu region during the night of December 15-16.

Two militants were killed in the encounter and security forces seized two AK rifles, seven magazines, 100 rounds, 42 hand grenades, two wireless sets, 16 IEDs, six IED batteries, 66 pencil cells, two kg RDX, eight detonators, one binocular, one wire cutter and a substantial quantity of medicines from them.

The spokesman said 65-year-old Sonaullah Magray was allegedly killed by troops during a cordon and search operation at Tarigam village in Dooru Shahabad area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir early today.

He said Magray, a village head, had been trapped in the ambush laid by the security forces. The incident sparked massive protests and the agitated demonstrators were later pacified by top civil and security forces' officials, the spokesman added.

The Army has regretted the incident, saying it was a case of ''mistaken identity'' and has ordered a court of inquiry into it.

Security forces apprehended two militants, one belonging to the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen in Kulgam area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir today.

During a routine checking, the police, along with the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, apprehended a suspected militant, identified as Mohammad Shafi Dar, a resident of Sonigam in Kulgam area, at Balsoo village today. Two .303 rifles, one .303 magazine, one 12 bore double barrel gun, 47 rounds of SLR ammunition and 97 rounds of .303 ammunition were seized on his instance from the paddy fields at Sonigam.

Security forces also arrested a Hizb militant identified as Reyaz Ahmad Shah, a resident of Sangran Dooru, from Wanpoh village.

Police said militants fired upon the security forces at Akigam village in Kulgam area. The fire was effectively retaliated but the militants managed to escape, they added.

Security forces also seized five hand grenades from Ganderbal area on the city outskirts yesterday.

Security forces busted a militant hideout at Jathly Chanderwani Dhar in Doda district of Jammu region yesterday and seized a large quantity of edible items and utensils, including 40 kg rice, 45 kg flour, ten blankets, 15 kg sugar, seven packets of salt, two kg onion besides kerosene oil, the spokesman added.

He said a fierce encounter erupted between security forces and militants at Kothar, Sumlar in Bandipora area of Baramulla district today. The gun-battle was still on when reports last came in.

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