4 militants among five killed in J and K

Srinagar, Aug 16 (UNI) Five persons, including four militants, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

He said a joint operation was launched by troops of 21 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) 9 Para and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police at Koninor Wadder Bala in Handwara following a tip off about the presence of militants there.

During the operation, an encounter took place in which one militant was killed.

One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 53 rounds of AK ammunition were recovered from the slain militant, they said.

Spokesman said security forces in another similar operation at Bani-nar-Thain Marg in Reasi district, killed a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant Shamas-ud-Din. Two grenades, one IED and a binocular were recovered from the slain militant.

He said two more HM militants Imran alias Haris and Fareed Ahmad alias Jamsheed were killed by the security forces in a fierce encounter at Kishtwar. Two AK rifles and 12 magazines were recovered from the slain militants.

He said body of one Mohammad Yousuf was recovered from Cheerji Kiner top. He was kidnapped by militants from his Daban Cheerji house last night.

UNI BAS PK KP1743