Four Lashkar militants among seven killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 29 (UNI) Four militants of the Pakistan-based Lashkar- e-Toiba (LeT) were among the seven people killed in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today.

He said personnel of the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the state police and 47 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) conducted a search operation early this morning following specific information that several Lashkar militants were hiding in Manganwar Kandi area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

As the security forces reached a particular place, they were fired upon militants with automatic weapons. The fire was effectively retaliated and in the ensuing fierce encounter, security forces gunned down four Lashkar militants, he said.

Their identity was being ascertained. Some arms and ammunition were also seized from the possession of the slain ultras, he said, adding there was no collateral damage in the gunfight.

The spokesman said police recovered the bullet ridden body of Wardat Ahmad Sheikh from Chogulpora in south Kashmir's Anantnag district today. Some unknown persons had abducted the deceased from his house late last night.

Police fished out an unidentified body of a male from river Jhelum near Noorbagh in the downtown city today. Police also recovered the body of a woman, Mukhti, of Kalashpora from river Jhelum in Ganderbal area last evening.

Meanwhile, militants hurled a hand grenade toward a security forces' vehicle at Batamaloo this afternoon. But, the grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the roadside without causing any damage, the spokesman said.

UNI