BSF, police jawan and a militant among 4 kililed in J and K

Srinagar, Aug 19 (UNI) Two security personnel and a militant were among four people killed while an infiltration bid was foiled in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said security forces and police in a joint operation killed a militant in an encounter at Putrigam in Pulwama district of south Kashmir this afternoon. The encounter ensued after a patrol party was attacked by the militants.

A police constable, who was injured in a militant attack at Harmutta in Poonch on August 13, died in the hospital today.

The toll in a grenade blast in north Kashmir on August 13, rose to four, with another injured persons succumbing to his injuries in the hospital.

Two persons were killed on the spot and 16 others wounded in a hand grenade blast at Bandipora in Baramulla district. One of the injured succumbed yesterday while Ghulam Nabi Ganai died today.

A report from Jammu said security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by Pakistan-trained militants last evening in Poonch district.

The troops of 49 Battalion of Border Security Force (BSF) observed some movement at Solotri Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar from the other side of the border. When challenged and asked to surrender, militants opened fire. The troops fired back and in the ensuing shootout a head constable Ramesh Chander was injured. He was admitted to hospital where he died. Militants however, managed to escape back to other side of the border under the cover of darkness.

Spokesman said one Noor Hussain was injured when an explosive device went off at Balakote last evening. He was hospitalised.

Militants attacked a security force patrol party at Putrigam in Pulwama. Security forces also retaliated but there was no report of any casuality, he added.

He said four masked gunmen entered the house of one Abdul Rashid Magray at Ganistan in Sumbal area of Ganderbal district, demanding Rs 50,000. However, the inmates raised hue and cry and snatched 12 bore gun from one of the gunmen. Later the gunmen fled from the spot after firing few shots in the air. No one was injured in the firing.

UNI