2 Pak infiltrators among 3 killed, three ultras arrested in J

Srinagar, Aug 2 (UNI) Two Pakistan infiltrators were among three people killed while three ultras were arrested and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said troops guarding border in Mankote sector noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from Pakistan- occupied Kashmir early today.

When challenged and asked to surrender near a particular place on this side at Saloti Post, Mankote, militants opened fire. The fire was returned and in the fierce clash two militants were killed.

This was the second infiltration attempt by the militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the past three days. On July 31, security forces killed eight infiltrators in Uri sector. One Colonel and a soldier also lost their lives and another was wounded in the gun battle.

He said one Mohammad Ashraf Khanday, who was injured in a grenade near Baltal, base camp of Amarnath cave shrine on July 18, died in the hospital this morning. With this total of two persons were killed and 16 others were injured in the blast.

In a rare case of bravery, people in north Kashmir overpowered two militants last night, a senior police officer said today.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sopore, said two gunmen entered the house of one Nazir Ahmad Wani at Waripora Kreeri in north Kashmir district of Baramulla with the intention to kill him.

However, before the gunmen, close associates of Abu Tahir, a commander of Pakistan based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), could open fire, the other inmates of the house raised an alarm and also snatched the pistols from the duo.

The other nearby residents also joined the family members and beat up the gunmen after informing the police.

The gunmen were identified as Muzaffar Ahmad Lone and Shamim Ahmad Mir, residents of Hajam Mohalla Reypora Palhalan Pattan.

They admitted to have been send by Abu Tahir to kill Nazir, a tailor by profession.

Police and 30 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) arrested an Al-Badr militant Bilal Ahmad Hajam alias Dawood Ibrahim, at village Pandithpora in Handwara along with one AK 56 rifle, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds, five detonators, 500 gram IED, 500 gram splinter material for IED, one pouch and two pair of combat dresses.

UNI