Srinagar: Seven top militants, including a self-styled deputy chief of Al-Burq outfit, were killed in separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir today (August 01, 2004), official sources said.

The self-styled deputy chief of Al-Burq outfit, Shamshar Guroo, a Pakistan national, and his bodyguard were killed in a gun-fight at Chandoosa in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the sources said.

They said in the nearby Heevan village, three other militants were killed and the house in which they were hiding was damaged in the gun battle.

An unidentified militant was killed in an ongoing encounter at Potshah-Lolab in frontier district of Kupwara, the sources said.

A self-styled district commander of Hizb-e-Islami outfit, Mohammad Jameel alias Zafar of Pakistan was killed in an encounter at Bhagat Kanipora on the outskirts of the city, an official spokesman said in Srinagar.

A joint team of Border Security Force and police laid cordon of the area late last night following specific information about the presence of the militant in one of the houses, the spokesman said.

He said as the troops approached the house, the holed up militant opened fire on the Security force, which was retaliated, killing the militant on the spot.

The slain militant was identified as Mohammad Jameel alias Zafar, a resident of Pakistan, the spokesman said, adding one AK rifle, an AK magazine, 56 rounds, one pouch and a diary were recovered from his possession.