4 Militants, Soldier Killed in Kashmir Gunfights

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Sept 21: Four militants and an Indian army soldier were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir.

Police sources said that militants infiltrated into this side of Kashmir at Kabaristan post in border area of Poonch in Kashmir from the Pakistani controlled Kashmir.

They said that the militants were signalled to stop by the army personnel deployed in the area. "The militants, however, turned down the offer and fired from sophisticated weapons towards the soldiers. The fire was returned by the troops and in the ensuing gunfight two militants and a soldier were killed," they said.

They also said that the exchange of fire between the militants and the Indian soldiers were going on.

Meanwhile, two militants owing allegiance to the Pakistan based militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed in a three hour long gunfight with Indian army and police personnel in Gujjar Gali area of Gool in Kashmir.

A police officer said that one of the slain militants, whom he identified Abu Sawari of Pakistan was top commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba while another was a Kashmiri militant.

The officer claimed that an AK-47, AK 56, four Magazines, two pouches and a radio set were recovered from the possession of the slain militants.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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