4 ultras killed in separate encounters in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 6: Four militants and a security personnel have been killed in two separate encounters in the Kashmir valley since last night, official sources said today.

They said an encounter, which erupted at Ishbar near Nishat Mughal Gardens on the city outskirts last, night came to an end with the killing of three holed-up militants.

Three security personnel were also wounded in the gun-battle.

Security forces have now begun search of the house where the militants had taken refuge and were firing on them.

A local, Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh, was arrested by the security personnel, triggering protests in the area.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) told sources that personnel of his force's 112 Battalion and the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation late last night after receiving information that some militants were hiding in a house at Ishbar Nishat in the famed Dal Lake area.

He said the area was immediately cordoned off and all exit points sealed. When the security forces were moving toward the house, located on the top of a hill, militants opened fire and also hurled hand grenades.

Later, people living in nearby houses were evacuated to safer places and repeated announcements made, asking the militants to surrender.

However, the militants continued firing and in the ensuing exchange of fire, three militants were killed.

Senior CRPF and police officials immediately rushed to the area.

A sources correspondent saw CRPF and SOG personnel climbing the hill even as militants continued to fire from inside the house which was partially damaged.

A police spokesman said another encounter was on in a village in Bijbehara in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir A team of the SOG, headed by Javid Ahmad, launched a joint operation with security forces in a village at Bijbehara last evening.

While the area was being sealed, militants hiding in the village opened fire, killing a security jawan, he said.

Later, reinforcements were rushed to the area. Intermittent firing between militants and security forces was going on, he said, adding one militant was killed early this morning.

The operation was still on when reports last came in, he said.

UNI