Two Army Majors, top commander among 10 ultras killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 3 (UNI) In the first major encounter of the year, two Army officers and nine militants, who had reportedly infiltrated from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) recently, were killed in north Kashmir in a 36-hour-long fierce gun battle.

Elsewhere in the state, a militant was killed and three others were arrested by security forces overnight.

An encounter ensued at Rani Walla Khali under police station Tangmarg in Baramulla district of north Kashmir after militants, hiding in different houses, attacked a patrol of 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) yesterday afternoon, a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said reinforcements were rushed to the area from nearby camps and all the escape routes were sealed. The civilians present in the area were evacuated to safer places before the final assault was launched against the militants.

A Major of 34 RR, K P Vinay, and three Al-Badr militants were killed till last night. One of the slain militants has been identified as divisional commander of the Al-Badr.

He said three soldiers, including Major D R Raman, a resident of Channai, were wounded in the battle. Major Raman later died in the base hospital here, he said.

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