Srinagar: Five militants, including a self-styled divisional commander of al-Badr outfit were killed in separate encounters with security forces in Anantnag district of South Kashmir since last night (Mar 17, 2004), Defence sources said.

The divisional commander of al-Badr was killed along with his close associate in an encounter with troops of Rashtriya Rifles in Kulgam area of Anantnag early today (Mar 18, 2004), the sources said.

They said a huge cache of arms and ammunition including 65 kgs of deadly RDX, seven gelatine sticks, nine under barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) grenades, an AK rifle, its seven magazines, 200 rounds of ammunition and a pistol with silencer were recovered from the slain ultras.

An unidentified militant was killed by security forces in gunfight during search operations at Khandroo village. Some arms and ammunition were recovered from him, the sources said.

The sources said that two more militants were shot dead by the security forces in separate gun battles at Aishmuqam and Chirish-Kokernag this morning.

The operation at Aishmuqam was still continuing, while a .303 rifle, two magazines, 90 rounds and a hand grenade were recovered from the militant killed in Kokernag area, the sources said.