40-hour-long mosque seige ends, militants killed, hostages rescued

Srinagar, Dec 25 (UNI) Police ended the about 40-hour-long mosque seige in South Kashmir late last night, killing three Hizbul Mujahideen militants and rescuing the five hostages.

Official sources said after negotiations falled and militants holed up in the mosque at Palinoo in Kulgam district of south Kashmir refused to surrender, police used tear smoke.

They militants came out from the mosque, firing on security forces. The fire was returned and all the three, including two Hizb commanders, were killed.

All five people who were taken hostage by the militants were rescued. No damage was done to the mosque.

UNI