One soldier and a militant killed, war like stores recovered in J

Srinagar, Apr 5 (UNI) A soldier and a militant were killed and a civilian was injured while security forces recovered a warlike stores in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint search operation at panzpora, Bijbhera, in south kashmir district of anantnag today following a tip off that some militants were hiding there.

However, when the security forces were about to search two particular houses, militants hiding in there opened fire and also hurled hand grenades on them. One soldier was killed in the encounter.

Later, reinforcements were rushed to the area from the nearby camps and efforts were being made to force the militants to surrender.

People living in the nearby houses were evacuated and taken to a safer place.

In another incident, a militant shot at and wounded his brother in south Kashmir district of Shopian for refusing to provide shelter, a police spokesman said.

A group of militants entered the house of one Nissar Ahmad Bhat at Check-Cholan, Shopian, late last night for shelter, the spokesman said.

However, when the house owner refused to provide them shelter and asked them to leave, the militants opened fire causing injuries to him.

One of the militant was later identified as Mohammad Asif Bhat, brother of Nissar.

The injured was admitted to bone and joint hospital at Barzulla here, he said.

Official spokesman said body of a militant Mushtaq Ahmad alias Shakeel, who was injured in an encounter at Chair Khul, was recovered this morning at Nandrolla. One hand grenade was also recovered from the slain militant.

Militants and security forces exchanged fire at Chatroo last night. However, no one was injured.

Meanwhile, security forces unearthed two hideouts and recovered war like stores at Kerni forest and Kandi. The recovery included four kg explosive, one Anti Tank Mine, five Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), one AK rifle, six magzines, 56 hand grenades, about 2000 rounds of ammunition, nine detonators, 29 UBGL grenades, two wireless sets, three antennas and one telescope.

UNI