4 militants killed and huge cache of arms recovered in J

Srinagar, July 11 (UNI) Troops killed four militants, busted two hideouts and recovered war like stores in the Kashmir valley overnight, an official spokesman said.

Troops of 22 Punjab and two Para launched a search operation at Mulikym forest in Bandipora area of north Kashmir this morning following a tip-off about the presence of militants in the woods.

He said when the troops were sealing the area, militants hiding in the forest opened fire. The fire was returned and in the fierce clash two militants were killed. Two AK rifles, eight magazines, two hand grenades and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were identified as Zubair Afghani, a resident of Pakistan and Showkat Ahmad Lone.

He said in a another similar operation at Shopian in south Kashmir, security forces gunned down two militants. Two AK rifles, two magazines, 50 rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades were recovered from the slain militants.

During a routine checking at Batpora, security forces recovered two hand grenades from a vehicle. The driver and passengers are being questioned, the spokesman added.

In another operation troops of seven Maratha Light Infantry conducted a search operation in Dragan Bahak general area of Uri sector in north Kashmir's Baramulla district late last night.

During the operation, troops seized 42 UBGL grenades and 30 hand grenades buried under a boulder.

Troops of seven Bihar Regiment seized an AK rifle, four magazines, two pistols, 305 rounds, two UBGL, six rocket boosters, two anti-tank rifle grenades, two hand grenades, two smoke grenades and other stores during a search operation at Tawarian forest in frontier district of Kupwara last evening.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police busted a hideout at Katari Mohalla in Kupwara and recovered one rocket booster.

UNI