Srinagar: Five militants and a couple were among nine persons killed in Jammu and Kashmir where security forces smashed four hideouts and recovered a huge cache of arms including 16 kgs of explosives and 130 high explosive devices.

Four militants were killed in an encounter at Bekhipora-Panzla in Baramulla district yesterday (Jan 10, 2004). One of the deceased ultras has been identified as Imran of Pakistan. Two security men were injured in the gun-battle in which three houses and two other structures were damaged, an official spokesman said in Srinagar today (Jan 11).

Another militant, yet to be identified, got killed in a fire-fight that took place at Sonapathri-Bandipora in the same district. One AK rifle, four magazines, 50 rounds and a wireless set were recovered from the slain militant, he said.

He said militants intruded into the house of a photographer Farooq Ahmed Mirza, at Lurgam-Tral in Pulwama district and fired at him and his wife Zaina, killing both of them on the spot.

Militants also barged into the house of Wali Mohammad Sheikh at Chhanapora-Rajpora in the same district and hurled a grenade followed by firing on the inmates resulting in the death of a cable operator Firdous Ahmed.

Security forces today (Jan 11) recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 16 kgs of explosives and 130 high explosive devices, near line of control in Rajouri district, an official spokesman said.

The recovery comes close on the heels of seizure of 40 kgs of explosives in Doda and Rajouri yesterday (Jan 10).