Jaish top commander 6 militants, a soldier among 9 killed in J and K

Srinagar, May 22 (UNI) A self-styled District Commander (DC) of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) six other militants and a soldier were among nine people killed and five army personnel injured in Jammu and Kashmir today.

A cordon and search operation was launched by Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) in village Kesrigam, Kakapora, in south Kashmir early this morning following a tip off that two militants were hiding there, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Pulwama Abdul Qayoum said.

However, when the area was being cordoned off, militants opened indiscriminate fire and also hurled hand grenades. The RR and SOG personnel retaliated and in the fierce clash, two militants Wasim, a resident of Pakistan, and Arshid Dar were killed.

The ASP said Wasim, a self styled DC, was heading the outfit in the district and was wanted in a number of militancy related incidents.

Mr Qayoum said the two militants were involved in the killing of a number of civilians and causing blasts in south Kashmir.

The ASP said six soldiers were injured in the encounter. They were admitted to hospital where one of the them later succumbled to his injured.

A police spokesman a search operation was launched by SOG and RR at Chak Matrigam in Shopian district today after a tip off was received about the present of militants there.

However, when the area was being sealed from all sides, militants opened fire. The fire was returned and in the fierce clash three militants were killed.

A press release issued by the police headquarters this evening said four militants were killed in the encounter which was still going on when the reports last came in.

He said one civilian was also killed in the exchange of fire between security forces and militants at Meloora in Pulwama today.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spokesman told UNI that RR, CRPF and SOG launched a joint operation in south Kashmir.

He said a CRPF patrol party challenged a man who was holding a weapon and running toward nearby railway track.

The spokesman said the ultra ignored the signal and kept running in order to jump into river Jehlum. However, the CRPF personnel opened fire and killed him, he said, adding an AK rifle, one magazine and six rounds were recovered from the slain militant.

People later took to streets alleging the civilian was killed by the security forces without any provocation. The demonstrators, who also blocked the traffic demanded immediate arrest of security force personnel responsible for killing the innocent person.

UNI