Two HM militants, numberdar killed, tragedy averted in J

Srinagar, Oct 23 (UNI) Two Hijbul Mujahideen (HM) militants and a numberdar were killed while security forces averted a major tragedy and busted a hideout in the Jammu and Kashmir overnight, official sources said here today.

Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and 5 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation at village Watlar in Ganderbal district last evening.

They said during the operation, militants opened fire on search party, ensuing a fierce encounter in which two HM militants were killed.

Two AK rifles, six magazines, 80 rounds of ammunition and two pouches were recovered from the slain militants identified as Latief Chowhan and Farooq Ahmad Cheechi, both local residents. One house was also damaged in the encounter.

A militant plan to snap a road communication and target security forces was foiled by Jammu and Kashmir police personnel party when they detected and defuse a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the frontier district of Kupwara, the sources said.

They said the police party noticed some suspended object under a culvert at Wayan, Gulgam link road in Kupwara.

The area was immediately sealed and those present were taken to safer place.

Later, the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) detected the IED fitted in a five-litre pressure cooker and planted under the culvert to snap the road link.

The IED was defused without causing any damage, they said, adding this was the first such attempt by militants since the seven-phase Assembly poll scheduled was announced.

Militants entered the house of a teacher Liaqat Hussain at village Haddal in Doda district and opened fire indiscriminately when local panchayat members were holding a meeting there.

A numberdar Mohammad Yousuf died on the spot while another person Hashim Din was injured. Later the militants managed to escape, a police spokesperson.

He said security forces arrested one Tika Khan at Kokernag alongwith 12 detonators, one grenade, one UBGL, one binocular and one IED switch and a satellite phone.

Militants and security forces exchanged fire at Burnsal Gulabgarh in Reasi district of Jammu region. No one was injured, he said adding the militants managed to escape taking the advantage of thick forest.

UNI BAS YSS AM RK1830