Pak national among 2 ultras killed, huge arms haul in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 15 (UNI) A Pakistani national was among two militants killed while security forces busted two hideouts and seized about 80 kg of explosive and other arms and ammunition across the Kashmir valley overnight, an official spokesman said today.

He said security forces killed two militants during a gun-battle at Patroo in the Keran area of Kupwara district. The identity of one of the slain militants has been established as Haroon Rashid, a resident of Pakistan, the spokesman added.

He said two Special Police Officers (SPOs) were wounded when suspected militants attacked the Sopore police station in the Baramulla district of north Kashmir with rifle grenades last night.

The SPOs have been identified as Bashir Ahmed and Ishfaq Ahmed.

The spokesman said security forces launched a search operation at Garoora Gujarpati village in the Bandipora district following specific information.

The troops seized 20 kg of explosive from an orchard during the operation, he added.

In another operation, the spokesman said the security forces busted two hideouts in the wall of almirahs in the residence of Ghulam Mohammad Teli, a carpenter, at Teli Mohalla in Pattan area of the Baramulla district.

Nine AK rifles, 24 AK magazines, 11 pistols, 23 pistol magazines, 154 pistol rounds, four UBGL launchers, 4406 pistol ammunition, 100 belted Pika rounds, eight RPG rounds, one LMG magazine, seven CTN ammunition, ten mortars, seven RPG boosters, one UBGL grenade, one hand grenade, 60 kg explosive, 40 electronic detonators, ten Improvised Explosive Device switches, 18 DTMF receivers, one Airtel sim card and other war-like stores were seized from there, he said.

The spokesman said police seized one AK rifle, five magazines and a pouch from an orchard of Mohammad Akbar Khoja, a resident of Damal-Chek, Shatgund in Handwara area of Kupwara district.

He said militants fired few shots at Mirgund in Kangan area. The fire was retaliated by the security forces without causing any harm.

UNI