Two major encounters on in Kashmir

Srinagar Feb 1 (UNI) Two major encounters were on between security forces and militants holed up in two different places in the Kashmir valley today.

Superintendent of Police (SP), Kulgam, Swayam Prakash Pani in south Kashmir said Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a search operation at Tangbal today following a tip off about the presence of militants there.

He said one Rashtriya Rifles (RR) also joined the operation after militants, hiding there, opened fire when police personnel were sealing the area.

The SP said it is believed that two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were trapped inside the cordoned off area.

The operation was going on when the reports last came in, he said.

On January 30, police and one RR had killed four HM militants, including a self styled District Commander, involved in the massacre of non-local labourers last year.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Mr S M Sahai, after killing of four militants, said Kulgam was almost free from local HM militants.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), north Kashmir, B Srinivas said police launched a search operation at village Drusoo Jagir, Rafiabad, following a specific information that militants were hiding in the house of Mohammad Maqbool Sheikh.

However, when the search party was about to storm the particular house, militants opened fire.

Police also retaliated and further tightened cordon around the house after taking other residents to a safer place.

UNI BAS MS ND1552