Friday, February 11 2005 19:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: In a major success, Army troops today (Feb 11, 2005) shot dead seven top militants in Udhampur, Kathua and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Acting on specific information, troops launched a cordon and search operation in Dharmari forest area of Udhampur district around 12:00 hours (IST) today, a top Army official told reporters.

In the encounter that followed the operation, four top Pakistani militants were killed and four weapons recovered, he said, adding the operation was still continuing in the area.

On specific information, troops launched a cordon and search operation in Doodasanpaie area of Rajouri district around 10:30 hours this morning, he said.

Two Pakistani militants were killed in the operation, he said adding two AK rifles, seven grenades, one radio-set and two IEDs were recovered.

In another incident, Army and Udhampur police killed a Pakistani militant in an encounter in Morha hill in Billawar area of Kathua district early today.

The militant, identified as Ismail Nallah, belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen and one AK rifle and some ammunition was recovered from him.

Meanwhile, a group of militants killed a National Conference activist Mohmmad Yousef Bhat on the outskirts of his village Prem Nagar in Doda district last night, official sources said.

The militants beat him up and later fired on him, the sources said, adding Bhat died on the spot. The body was recovered by police and handed over to his family for last rites.