Two Pakistani among 3 militants killed in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 14 (UNI) In the first major encounter of 2008, three militants, including two Pakistanis, were killed in a joint operation by the security forces in south Kashmir early this morning, a police spokesman said.

He said troops of nine Rashtriya Rifles (RR), 162 Territorial Army (TA) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched the joint operation at village Manzgam, Kulgam, following a tip-off about the presence of militants there.

The spokesman said at 0830 hrs, an encounter ensued after militants fired at the search party.

During the three-hour encounter, three militants were killed, he said.

The slain militants were identified as Chacha and Saqib, both from Pakistan while the third was a local, Parvez, he said.

Three AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, he added.

This was the first major operation by the security forces in the valley in 2008.

UNI BAS SW KP1500