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Three Lashkar Militants Killed in Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants are among four persons killed in separate militancy related incidents in the restive Kashmir during past 24 hours.

Indian army and police personnel received specific information about the presence of militants at Trainkal, Gandoh area in the mountainous Doda region laid siege around it in the wee hours of today. While the security personnel were plugging off the possible escape routes, they came under fire from militants hiding in the besieged area. The fire was returned by the troops, triggering an encounter. The gunfight between the militants and the Indian soldiers lasted for more than four hours during which two militants were killed. One of the slain militant was identified as Abu Shakeel Afghani, an Afghani national.

Both of the slain militants belong to Pakistan based militant group, Lashker-e-Toiba. The Indian army claimed recovery of one SLR with one magazine, one pistol with two magazines, one wireless set and one pouch from the encounter site.

A police officer said that so far 15 Lashkar militants were killed in the mountainous Doda region this year.

Another militant, believed to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba, was killed in a gunfight with the Indian army's counter insurgency unit at Kunan Poshpora in the border district of Kupwara in the restive Kashmir. The identity of the slain militant is being ascertained.

Suspected militants abducted a civilian from his residence at Tral in South Kashmir during the night intervening August 1/2. Identified as Nazir Ahmad Jagar, his body was recovered by police some kilometers away from his residence today. The deceased, according to police, was slaughtered by his captors.

A manhunt has been launched to track down Nazir's abductors and assassinators.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.