Four militants among seven killed in J

Srinagar, July 6 (UNI) Seven people, including four militants, were killed while ultras abducted two village defence committee (VDC) members in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

Personnel of 1 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), the CRPF and the police conducted a joint search operation at Hassanpora village in Kulgam district of south Kashmir this afternoon following a tip-off.

During the operation, militants opened heavy fire on the security personnel from the house of Mohammad Ramzan Mir, which was effectively retaliated, resulting in a fierce gun-battle.

The house got badly damaged in the gunfight and later during the search of the debris the bodies of two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were recovered, the spokesman said.

The slain Hizb militants were identified as Tariq Ahmed Ganai alias Shahid Kafeel and Mohammad Abbas Wagay alias Basit.

He said security forces laid an ambush at Tunga Top Kachharna village in frontier district of Kupwara this afternoon and challenged a group of militants, passing through the area.

The militants opened fire on the security personnel, which was retaliated and in the ensuing encounter, a militant was killed.

In an another gun-battle at Sogam in Lolab area of the same district early this morning, security forces shot dead a militant and seized an AK 47 rifle and other ammunition from him.

A gunfight erupted at Gujjar Paul Udail, Chatroo in Kishtwar district of Jammu region early today in which two people were killed while a security personnel sustained wounds, the spokesman said, adding an AK rifle, 33 rounds, two magazines and two hand grenades were seized from the spot.

A VDC member, Romail Singh (22), of Nomal village allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his .303 rifle in Reasi district of Jammu region today.

Militants opened indiscriminate fire on the 'dhoks (hutments)' of VDC members at Sarooth village in Kishtwar district late last night.

the VDC members fired in retaliation.

After a brief encounter, two VDC members -- Shadi Lal and Madho Lal -- were missing and believed to have been abducted by miitants.

Police today arrested a top local Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant along with his two over ground workers (OGWs) and seized Rs 1.97 lakh from his possession in Doda district of Jammu region.

SSP Doda Manohar Singh said LeT militant Bashir Ahmed Bandey of Bagla Barth village was arrested at Parmaz near Doda town along with two local OGWs, identified as Javed Ahmad and Farid Ahmad, of Gool area in Reasi.

Bandey was associated with the Harkat-ul-Ansar militant outfit and had surrendered before the security forces on November 15, 1996, but re-joined the militancy after few months. Three grenades and other explosives were seized from his possession.

Security forces seized one sniper rifle, one sniper sight, one magazine, three grenades, two AK magazines and 57 rounds in the general area of Nerian Kullan in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri district last evening.

UNI