2 soldiers killed, major infiltration bids foiled in J

Srinagar, May 26 (UNI) Two army personnel were killed and two others injured as security forces foiled two major infiltration bids in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

Elsewhere in the state, militants shot at and wounded critically a counter insurgent while security forces recovered war-like stores during the period, an official spokesman said.

He said troops guarding the border noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Poonch sector early today.

When challenged and asked to surrender, the infiltrators opened fire that was retaliated resulting in a fierce gun-battle in which a soldier was killed and another was wounded.

However, the infiltrators managed to escape to the other side of the border.

The spokesman said forces foiled yet another infiltration bid by the militants in Jammu sector last evening.

The militants fled to the PoK after they were challenged by the forces, he said, adding there was no loss of life.

Later, the security forces recovered six AK assault rifles, one magazine, 29 rounds, two binoculars, one wireless set, three chargers, 12 antennas, one wire cutter, two maps of Pakistan from the encounter site.

One soldier was killed and another wounded when militants detonated a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the frontier district of Kupwara today.

Militants also triggered a powerful IED at Khumriyal when a security force patrol party was patrolling the area, the spokesman said.

Two soldiers received splinter wounds in the blast, he said adding one of the injured later died on the way to hospital.

Later, security forces conducted search in the entire area to nab militants responsible for causing the blast.

Militants shot at and critically wounded a former counter insurgent Mohammad Khan at Hanger Yaripora in south Kashmir's Anantnag district today.

A militant today was surrendered before the security forces along with an AK assault rifle, two magazines and five rounds near Lam sector in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.

In a joint operation, police and security forces busted a militant hide-out at Kurad jungle in Darhal area of Rajouri district and recovered eight hand grenades, one UBGL, three AK magazines, 170 AK rounds, six Pika rounds, three detonators, one antenna, three pistol rounds, one wireless set, one Kg explosive material, two wire cutter, 1.5 feet wire and one packet of charas from the hideout.

Meanwhile, unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade towards a security forces patrol party at Astan Mohalla, Warpora Sopore in Baramulla district today.

However, the grenade missed the intended target and exploded on roadside without causing any injury, the spokesman said.

UNI