Four HM militants killed in night-long encounter in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 18 (UNI) Four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were killed by the security forces in a night-long encounter in south Kashmir, a police spokesman said today.

He said security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at village Ahgam, Kulgam, in south Kashmir distict of Anantnag last night after receiving information that militants were hiding there.

However, when the security forces were about to storm a particualr house, they came under heavy fire from the ultras. The cordon was further tightened after reinforcement was rushed there from nearby camps.

Security forces also returned the fire after militants refused to surrender.

He said during the fierce encounter four militants were killed.

The villagers alleged that security forces fired rockets to blast the house.

Bodies of four HM militants, all locals, were recovered from the debris of damaged house this morning.

Three ak rifles, 15 magazines and four UBGLs were recovered from the slain militants.

Ahgam hit the headlines in mid-nineties when 40 houses were razed to the ground during a two-day fierce encounter between security forces and militants holed up in the village. Four militants and as many security personnel, including an officer, were killed in that encounter. Later, security forces rebuilt the entire village on modern lines.

UNI