15 Killed In Fresh Kashmir Violence

Eight militants, including a Pakistani infiltrator, and two army personnel were among 15 people killed in Kashmir since Monday evening while alert troops foiled a fresh Pakistani attempt to push armed militants into the state.

Elsewhere in the Valley, militants attacked the house of a militant-turned National Conference MLA, Abdul Gani Naseem, and shot dead five persons, even as a woman was wounded in Pakistani firing in Poonch district during the period, an official spokesman said here yesterday. Seven militants were apprehended and a Pakistan-trained militant of banned Harkat-ul-Ansar laid down his arms during anti-militancy operations since Monday, he said. Meanwhile, a senior leader of All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi, alongwith his eleven followers was taken into preventive custody near Lal Chowk area of the city yesterday, official sources said.

The Hurriyat leader was taken into custody for breach of peace as he used public address system appealing people to join proposed June 27 APHC rally in Srinagar.

A defence ministry spokesman said a Pakistani attempt to push militants into the valley was foiled by vigil troops near bader forest in Kupwara sector last night and killed a intruder following an encounter. He said the operation was still in progress when last reports were received.

Seven militants were gunned down by troops in three separate encounters during combing operations at Kalipur, Doilipora-Vilgam and Naganari-Handwara in Kupwara on Monday night, the sources said.