Army Major injured, soldier killed, tragedy averted in J and K

Srinagar, July 3 (UNI) An Army Major was injured and a soldier killed as militants attacked a search party and a convoy while security forces averted a major tragedy and busted a hideout in the Jammu and Kashmir today.

A report from Jammu said an encounter took place between militants and Army during a search operation at Mannu Wala under police station Darhal in Rajouri district today.

Troops retaliated and in the fierce clash Major N J Stephen was injured and a soldier was killed.

The operation was still going on when the reports last came in.

A report from Baramulla said militants had resorted to indiscriminate firing on a security force convoy at Chalka near the town today.

Forces deployed on road-opening duty and those travelling in the vehicles also retaliated and the exchange of firing continued for some time. No one was injured. Later two hand grenades and two magzines were recovered from the spot.

A woman Mugli was injured when an explosive device went off in the forest area at Check-e-Keegam. She was hospitalised.

A police spokesman said Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police, during a routine patrolling, noticed a 12 kg powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED), fitted in a plastic case, planted on the Pulwama-Rajpora road in south Kashmir this morning.

Immediately traffic on the road was stopped from both the sides and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) summoned which later defused the IED without causing any damage.

This was the second IED detected and defused by the security forces in Pulwama district since last evening. Yesterday a similar IED was detected at Rajpora.

He said security forces had arrested a militant alongwith one pistol, one wireless set and six rounds at Allahpora in Baramulla.

In a joint operation security forces and police busted a hideout and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, including one 303 rifle, two IEDs, seven detonators, one hand grenade and about 250 rounds of ammunition at Sarlia in Doda district.

UNI