Srinagar: Fourteen militants, including two top commanders of different outfits, were among 18 people killed in Jammu and Kashmir where terrorists and security forces exchanged fire at a number of places since last night (Sep 17, 2004).

Five militants, three of Hizbul Mujahideen and two of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed in an encounter with security forces during search operations at Jabbi Toti Dhok in Surankote area of Poonch district this afternoon (Sep 18, 2004), a police spokesman said.

A self-styled district commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad Nazir Afghani was killed in a gunfight with security forces at Margigul forest in Baramulla district.

Another top terrorist, battalion commander of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen Shabir Ahmad Bhat was shot dead by troops in an exchange of fire at Hillar forest in Qazigund area of Anantnag district.

Three al-Badr militants were killed in an encounter at Managwar-Kandi in Baramulla district while two terrorists were shot dead at Lalpora and Shahwari areas of Kupwara.

Two unidentified militants were killed in a nightlong encounter, which broke out when security personnel raided a suspected hideout at Ahamsharief village in Bandipora area of Baramulla district, the spokesman said. A house was gutted in the gunbattle.

A large number of arms and ammunition were recovered from the militants.

Militants shot dead one Mohammad Farooq and Arshad in Dodaj village in Darhal area of Rajouri district.

Body of another civilian Ghulam Abbass, with his throat slit, was found in his village Sangla in Poonch district, the spokesman said adding he was abducted and later killed by militants.

Sixty-year-old Lal Singh, who was injured in a bomb explosion at Prem Nagar in Doda district yesterday, succumbed to injuries in a hospital. Three militant outfits were busted in Qazigund in Anantnag district, Bandipora in Baramulla and Gool in Udhampur district last night.

An AK rifle, 6.5 kgs of explosives, four wireless sets, three remote control devices, nine grenades, two detonators and some ammunition were recovered from there.