5 Killed, Top Militant Held In Kashmir

Five persons, including three militants, were killed in separate incidents, while a self-styled acting chief of pro-Pakistan hizbullah outfit was among eight ultras nabbed by security forces across Kashmir valley since last evening.

A Pakistan-trained militant belonging to the banned Hizbul Mujahideen was shot dead by the security forces in an encounter during search operations at Chijihama village in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Monday evening, an official spokesman said here yesterday.

A pistol, one magazine and two hand grenades were recovered from the slain militant, he said.

According to a defence ministry spokesman, two militants, including a foreigner, were killed by the troops in separate encounters in Badgam and Baramulla districts on Monday. A rifle, two pistols, four hand grenades and some ammunition were recovered from them.

Seven militants, including the acting chief commander of the Hizbullah outfit, Bilal Ahmad Shah, were arrested by the special operations group of local police from Batmaloo area of central Srinagar yesterday.

The militants, who include an activist each of Hizbul Mujahideen and Al-Umar outfit, are being questioned.

A woman identified as Kaneeza was killed in cross-firing between militants and security forces at Ganthal village in border district of Poonch in Jammu region, while the body of an unidentified man was fished out from Bahnipora Nallah in frontier district of Kupwara, police said.

Two militants laid down their arms in the valley, where a large quantity of arms and ammunition were also seized by the troops during unabated operations during the period.