Saturday, May 7 2005 18:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: An Army Major and a Congress leader were among eight persons killed and three Jawans injured as ultras set off three explosions and clashed with security forces at various places in Jammu and Kashmir, a police spokesman said today (May 7, 2005).

The Army Major was killed when militants ambushed a search party at Pazipora-Batpora village of Handwara in border district of Kupwara late yesterday (May 6, 2005) night, the spokesman said.

He said that an unidentified militant, believed to be a foreigner, was also killed in the retaliatory fire. Some arms and ammunition were recovered from him.

In a separate incident, militants detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Donipora-Sangam, 45 kms from Srinagar on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, today morning killing an Army Jawan, the spokesman said.

Hizbul mujahideen militant outfit claimed responsibility for the blast. Security forces arrested three persons immediately after the explosion and one of them identified as Javid Ahmad Bhat of Hamzapora reportedly jumped into river Jhelum while trying to escape from custody, official sources said.

Bhat was also fired upon by Jawans before he jumped into the river and was believed to have drowned, the sources said adding efforts are on to fish out his body.

However, residents of the area alleged that the deceased was shot dead and later his body thrown into the river.

Militants abducted and later hanged to death Congress block president and village hea Abdul Rahim Paul in Tangmarg area of Baramulla district, the spokesman said.

Paul, a resident of Kulhama, was abducted by militants from his house yesterday night and his body was found hanging from an electric pole at Saraipul today, he said.

PTI