Srinagar: Five militants, including two Pakistani mercenaries of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit, were among six persons killed as militants fired a barrage of rockets to target an Army camp and set off two blasts in Kashmir Valley since January 25 night, official sources said.

Militants fired four rockets towards Bumbai Army camp in Sopore area of Baramulla district on January 26 night, but the rockets exploded short of the target causing no harm, the sources said.

He said Army troops fired back in retaliation to the rocket attack, but the militants escaped.

The pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack.

Three unidentified militants were killed and an Army jawan injured in an encounter lasting several hours at village Wagoora in Baramulla district of North Kashmir on January 26, the sources said.

A residential house where the militants had taken shelter was gutted in the encounter, they said.

Two Pakistani militants of LeT identified as Abu Jindal and Abu Safa were killed in a gunfight with Army at Nathpora in Baramulla district on January 25 night, the sources said.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK assault rifles, six magazines with 100 rounds, a rocket launcher with two rockets, five mines, 12 grenades, two kg of explosive and wireless set were recovered from the killed militants, they said.

A shopkeeper, Nazir Ahmad Beigh was shot at and injured by unidentified militants at Maharajgunj locality of downtown Srinagar on January 25 night. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed early on January 26, the sources said.

They said a policeman, constable Bashir Ahmad was injured when militants hurled a grenade towards a patrolling party at Janglat Mandi in Anantnag district of South Kashmir on January 25 night.

Militants also detonated an improvised explosive device (IEDs) near an Army camp at Balapora village of Shopian in Pulwama district at around 8.30 am (IST)on January 26, but none was hurt in the explosion, the sources said.

In another incident, militants opened fire on a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol party at Handoora village in Tral township of Pulwama district but none was hurt in the ensuing gunfight.

PTI