Monday, April 11 2005 08:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: With the death of a terrorist in an encounter in Kupwara, the number of persons killed in militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday (Apr 10, 2005) rose to nine, an official spokesman said.

A militant, identified as Mohammad Irfan, was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Rednag area of Kupwara district yesterday.

One AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 58 rounds of ammunition were recovered from him.

Earlier, two persons were killed and 19 others, including a jawan, injured as militants hurled a grenade at a security force patrol at a market in Shopian in Pulwama district, the spokesman said.

In a separate incident, an unidentified militant was killed in a gun-battle with security forces in Donadu forests in Pulwama district, 40 km from Srinagar, the spokesman said.

A civilian identified as Farooq Ahmad Kulay was also killed in the crossfire.

Another militant was shot dead in an encounter after the ultras opened fire on security forces at Alhalan in Pattan area of Baramulla district, he said.

Two Army jawans were also killed in the exchange of fire between the two sides, he added.

Two AK rifles, five AK magazines, 107 rounds, one pistol, a hand grenade, one pouch, one mobile phone and Rs 40,000 were recovered from the slain militant.

In another encounter, a Special Police Officer (SPO), Mushtaq Ahmad, was killed at Gadyog in Knadi sector of Rajouri district, he said.

On specific information, security forces in a fierce gun-battle killed a platoon commander of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) idetified as Abu Usman alias D-7 in Chattru area in Thanamandi belt of Rajouri district, official sources said.

One AK rifle, three magazines, one pika gun, 130 rounds, eight grenades and five IEDs were recovered besides a wireless set, they said adding the operation was on till reports last came in.

Security forces apprehended an over ground worker for militants at Sopore in Baramulla district and recovered some incriminating documents from him, the spokesman said.

He said two unidentified persons kidnapped a 14-year-old boy, Mehrajuddin this afternoon while he was playing cricket with his friends outside his house at Maharajpora in Sopore area.

Security forces recovered two UBGL grenades and one hand grenade from a militant hideout in Miskeen Bagh area of the city, the spokesman said.

Police recovered a grenade from a tea stall at Ban Ganga road in Katra in Udhampur district and took a suspect in custody for questioning, he said.

In Poonch, security forces recovered 440 rounds of Pika gun and two hand grenades during a search operation at Lambi Bari Dargloon, he added.