Four foreign militants, SPO killed in Kupwara

Four foreign militants and a special police officer were killed in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours.

A defence ministry spokesman said troops deployed at Rangwar- Gali, Kupwara, sighted a group of six to eight militants moving in the area on Monday evening. When challenged, the group opened fire with automatic weapons. The troops retaliated, killing four. The others managed to escape.

A Pika gun, a rocket launcher, 10 rockets, two pistols, 18 grenades, one wireless set, 10 remote control devices, 16 detonators, 20 boosters, eight magazines and 2,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.

The SPO was killed in another incident, when militants lobbed a hand grenade and opened fire at a civilian's residence in Krusen in the same district.

In Anantnag, militants entered another civilian's residence, opened fired indiscriminately, injuring a woman.

Forces defused a live grenade at Chadoora in Badgam district Monday evening.

In Kawdara, troops captured two militants. Another was nabbed at Nanak Nagar.

UNI