5 militants, a soldier among 7 killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 9 (UNI) Three militants and a soldier were among seven people killed in the Kashmir valley overnight, a police spokesman said today.

He said security forces and police launched a joint operation at Dardhari in Kupwara district of north Kashmir this morning following a tip-off that militants were hiding there.

As the security forces were about to storm a particular area, militants hiding there opened fire. The fire was returned and in the subsequent fierce clash two militants were killed. Two ak rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from them.

A report from Baramulla said unidentified gunmen shot at and critically wounded one Fayaz Ahmad Dar at Bombai, about 10 km from Sopore in this district last night. He was shifted to hospital where he died.

The spokesman said troops of 21 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation in the Handwara area of north Kashmir yesterday afternoon after receiving information that some militants were hiding their.

He said when the security forces were sealing the area the militants opened fire and also hurled grenades. The fire was effectively returned and two militants were killed in a fierce encounter. A soldier also killed.

Another militant was killed in a similar operation by 17 Dorgas and SOG at Trehagam in north Kashmir.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition, including three Ak rifles were recovered from the slain militants.

UNI