Wednesday, January 19 2005 15:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: Six Pakistani militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Pir Panchal Regiment (HMPPR) and Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) outfits were today (Jan 19, 2005) killed in separate gunbattles with the Army in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Defence sources said.

On specific information about the presence of militants, troops launched a cordon and search operation around 03:30 hrs (IST) in Budhal forest area of Rajouri district, they said.

During the searches a gunbattle took place in the area in which four top Pakistani militants were killed, they said adding the slain ultras belonged to the HMPPR outfit.

One of the slain militants, identified as Abu Salma code named Baddar, was a sector commander of the outfit, they said.

Three AK rifles, ten magazines, two radio sets, thirteen grenades, three IEDs and some documents were recovered from the spot of the encounter, they said.

In another encounter in Poonch district's Sonari forest, Army troops shot dead two LeT militants early today, they said.

Two AK rifles, four magazines and seven grenades were recovered from the spot of encounter, they said.

The killings come close on the heels of yesterday's (Jan 18, 2005) killing of six LeT militants in Mendhar teshil of Poonch district while foiling of an infiltration bid.