Kashmir - 2 LeT ultras among 5 killed in region, 5 killed in Valley

KashmirTimes ^ | 5/11/02

[swarthyguy]

JAMMU, May 10: Security forces eliminated five militants including two hardcore Afghan nationals belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit in separate fierce encounters in district Doda and Poonch. Meanwhile, some unidentified gunmen killed one civilian and injured another in Kishtwar.

Reports reaching here from Doda said that acting on a specific information regarding the presence of some militants in tehsil Gandoh, jawans of Special Task Force (STF) launched a massive search operation to nab the suspects.

When the security forces reached the hideout of the militants in general area of Gandoh and asked them to surrender, the latter started firing indescriminately on the security forces, which was immediately retaliated by the forces, thus starting an fierce encounter that reportedly lasted for hours in which the hard-core ultras were gunned down.

The slain ultras have been identified as Abu Arfan and Abu Amir both resident of Afghanistan. Security forces have recovered one AK rifles, three magazines of AK, 61 rounds of AK ammunition, one pistol, four rounds of pistol and two radio sets.
In an another encounter, operation party of security forces and police eliminated two militant in forest area under the jurisdiction of police station Doda. Reports said that during the routine patrolling security forces and Doda police noticed some suspicious movement in the forest area under the jurisdiction of police station Doda. On this the security forces cordoned the whole area after which they noticed some suspicious movement and challenged the ultras. On this the militants started firing indescriminately on the security forces thus resulting into an encounter. The gun battle lasted for sometime in which two militants were killed. The identity of the slain militant could not be revealed immediately.

In a separate incident some unidentified gunmen sneaked into the house of Mohammad Rastam Sheikh and killed his son identified as Mohammad Yosuf resident of Kither under the jurisdiction of police station Kishtwar. Another civilian identified as Abdul Aziz Sheikh was also injured in the incident.

Reports reaching from Mendhar said that security forces busted a hideout in Mendhar tehsil and recovered one RPG launcher, four rockets, four boosters, one mortrar, one dail sight, five mortar bombs, one AK 56 rifle, three magazines of AK, 148 rounds of AK ammunition, one radio set, 45 detonators and 1.25 kilograms of explosives from the site.


KT NEWS SERVICE SRINAGAR, May 10: At least five persons including four militants were killed and a civilian wounded in separate militancy related incidents across Kashmir as half a dozen suspects were rounded up during routine operations across Kashmir.
A fierce encounter was reported from a forest stretch that divides Baramulla and Budgam districts. The operation was launched jointly by troops from 2-RR, 194 Bn BSF and SOG after they received a tip off that militants are hiding there. The operation concluded late in the afternoon. Of the four militants killed in the encounter two are foreigners. They have been identified as Mohammed Ali alias Saif Sagar and Abdur Rehman (Bahawalpur) besides locals Abdur Rehamn of Goigam and Parvez Ahmad of Badran. Four assault rifles, two pistols and some ammunition has been recovered from the spot of the clash.

While police said the encounter took place at Badran, Magam area of Budgam, reports from Baramulla said the clash took place in a forest stretch near Kunzar. Most of the details of the clash, however, were identical. A civilian Mohammed Ashraf Dar of Badran - a student of seventh class - received a bullet in his neck. He was rushed to hospital where he is stated to be critical. Of them two belonged to Hizb ul Mujahideen and two to Jaish-e-Mohammad.

A report from Baramulla said that one of the 100 persons who were beaten by the troops in Qazi Hamam - Tawheed Gunj localities on March 30 last, passed away in the hospital today. Identified as Ghulam Hassan Khan of over 55 years, the troops beat him ruthlessly and was admitted to a Srinagar hospital. His body was today taken to his home. Thousands of people offered funeral prayers to the elderly person. The mass marshaling of the civilians, it may be recalled here, created a lot of controversy when Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah in presence of Defence Minister George Fernandes had a verbal duel with the Corps Commander Lt Gen Patankar.

Police said they arrested three militants from Chandhara village in Pulwama and four other suspects from Banday Kralkhud in Kupwara. A late evening report said troops have arrested an agriculture officer near Tchal check post in Uri. No details were available about the arrest.

[swarthyguy]

Steady drumbeat of lowlevel warfare goes on. The Daily Excelsior is offline; its reports were enjoyable to read. These guys aren't as colorful but do give you the daily rundown.