A Rajasthani, 2 ultras among 5 killed, explosive recovered in JK

Srinagar, Aug 13 (UNI) In stepped-up violence just 36 hours before Independence Day, three people, including a cobbler from Rajasthan were killed in a blast while security forces gunned down two militants and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition including explosives, grenades in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade near crowded Nowpora, Bandipora, about 55 km from here this afternoon. The grenade was lobbed towards the stadium where preparation were being made for the ID celebrations.

Twenty people were injured in the blast.

Three of the injured identified as Ghulam Mohammad Lone, Yaver Rafiq and Shamu Ram a cobbler from Rajasthan died before they could be shifted to hospital.

The other injured were admitted to different hospitals. Some of the injured were admitted to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura.

He said security forces killed one militant each in two different encounters in Shopian and Kulgam districts. Some arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

A police constable was injured when militants attacked a search party at village Harmutta in Poonch district. Militants later managed to escape, he said adding that the injured was hospitalised.

A militant surrendered alongwith one AK rifle, three magazines, 89 rounds of ammunition and one hand grenade at Kishtwar.

Security forces arrested a militant alongwith three hand grenades, about two kg explosive and three wireless sets at waterman in Bandipora.

He said during a search operation at Kallar Batta forest, security forces busted a hideout and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, including four explosive sticks, one wireless set, six hand grenades, two magazines and 242 rounds of ammunition.

UNI