Sunday, July 3 2005 13:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: Nine Pakistani ultras and three others were killed in Jammu and Kashmir where a vice president of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was among two people arrested since last night (July 2, 2005), official sources said in Jammu today (July 3, 2005).

Acting on specific information, army troops launched a cordon and search operation in Palunia area of Chingus in Rajouri district last night, the sources said.

After a 13-hour gunbattle, six Pakistani militants were killed of which two were identified as Lashker-e-Toiba self-styled area commander Abu Usman and Al Badr tehsil commander Irfan Hafizee while the other four belonged to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Al-badr outfits, they said.

A large cache of arms and ammunition, including six AK rifles, 30 magazines, 28 grenades, four IEDs, 3 wireless sets, 400 rounds, 7 UBGL grenades was recovered from them.

Two Harkat-ul-Mujahideen ultras - Sajad Ahmad Dar and his Pakistani accomplice Hamza Bhai - were killed in an encounter with Rashtriya Rifles troops at Kotha forest in Baramulla district last night.

The body of one more militant was recovered at Hardi in Poonch district today, they said.

Civilian Abdul Gani was killed and another identified as Bashir Ahmad Lone critically injured in cross-firing between troops and militants at nearby Arin area, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the bullet-riddled body of Village Defence Committee member Rajinder Kumar was recovered from Gali Top in Doda district today, he added.

Assistant sub-inspector Abdul Quiyom was killed and a civilian injured when an IED exploded while being diffused in Sellknd-Dhamkud area of Udhampur district, they said.