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Troops kill 9 foreign militants in Rajouri

Army troops today killed nine foreign militants belonging to the Afghan-based militant group Lashker-e-Toiba in a fierce encounter in Thil, south of Budhal Pir pass on the upper reaches of Pir Panchal range in Rajouri district, a defence spokesman said.

He said troops conducted a search operation at the Thil area, located at a height of 13,500 feet, following a tip-off. During the operation militants attacked the search party with automatic weapons from different directions. A fierce encounter took place that continued for nearly five hours in which nine foreign militants were killed on the spot while one army jawan was injured seriously. The latter was immediately evacuated to the military hospital where his condition was stated to be critical, he added.

He said troops recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the encounter site besides six rucksacks full of fresh meat, butter, glucose, chocolates, medicine and dry fruits. He said the operation was in progress when last reports came in. Further details were awaited, he added.

Meanwhile, army troops averted a major tragedy when they detected and later defused a powerful Improvised Explosive Device planted by militants in the premises of a high school at Gonthal in Surrankote area of Poonch district in the wee hours of today.

UNI

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