09-29-2008, 07:10 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Major encounter on in Valley forests</b>
Pioneer.com
Khursheed Wani | Srinagar
<b>Jawan, 11 militants killed in shootouts</b>
A fierce encounter is going on between militants and security forces in deep forests in Kangan belt of Ganderbal district, around 50 kilometres from capital Srinagar. Officials said that seven militants and an Army havildar have died so far in the encounter, which is likely to continue for several days. Army has used helicopters to airdrop food items and provide directions to the columns of troops fighting a large group of militants in the jungle area, defence sources said.
The encounter started on Thursday after security forces received a specific report that a group of militants was on way to Ganderbal from militant-infested Bandipora through a treacherous forest route. The security forces tracked down the militants and engaged them at Laanz in Gangbal pocket of the forest. Sources said that militants, whose organisational affiliation was not confirmed, have taken positions in rocky caves.
"Seven militants and a soldier have been killed so far in protracted gunbattles in the forests of Kangan", defence spokesman Lt Col Anil Kumar Mathur said.
<b>"There are many more militants in the area. The operation is likely to continue",</b> he said.
Sources said that Army used helicopters to trace the militants' hideouts and also airdropped food items for the troops engaged in the prolonged operation.
Meanwhile, four other militants were killed in the Valley in two separate battles, a police statement said on Sunday.
<b>"One of the dead militants was identified as Abu Khubaib, a Pakistani,"</b> the statement said, adding he was serving as a "launching commander" for hardline rebel group Lashkar-e-Tayyeba.
Security forces claimed to have gunned down another militant in village Kadipora of Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
Police spokesman said that on specific information about the presence of militants, a joint party of troops of 44 RR, 183 Bn CRPF, 182 Bn CRPF and Pulwama Police launched joint search operation in the forest area near village Kadipora.
Soon after the troops zeroed in on the target area, militants hiding there opened fire on troops triggering an encounter, which resulted in the killing of a militant. A police constable was also injured in the shootout.
<b>The slain militant was identified as Rayees Ahmad Dar alias Shiab, son of Mohammad Yasir, resident of Gadipora Shopian</b>, who was killed in the encounter. One AK 56 rifle, three magazines and 25 rounds were recovered from the killed militant.
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Pioneer.com
Khursheed Wani | Srinagar
<b>Jawan, 11 militants killed in shootouts</b>
A fierce encounter is going on between militants and security forces in deep forests in Kangan belt of Ganderbal district, around 50 kilometres from capital Srinagar. Officials said that seven militants and an Army havildar have died so far in the encounter, which is likely to continue for several days. Army has used helicopters to airdrop food items and provide directions to the columns of troops fighting a large group of militants in the jungle area, defence sources said.
The encounter started on Thursday after security forces received a specific report that a group of militants was on way to Ganderbal from militant-infested Bandipora through a treacherous forest route. The security forces tracked down the militants and engaged them at Laanz in Gangbal pocket of the forest. Sources said that militants, whose organisational affiliation was not confirmed, have taken positions in rocky caves.
"Seven militants and a soldier have been killed so far in protracted gunbattles in the forests of Kangan", defence spokesman Lt Col Anil Kumar Mathur said.
<b>"There are many more militants in the area. The operation is likely to continue",</b> he said.
Sources said that Army used helicopters to trace the militants' hideouts and also airdropped food items for the troops engaged in the prolonged operation.
Meanwhile, four other militants were killed in the Valley in two separate battles, a police statement said on Sunday.
<b>"One of the dead militants was identified as Abu Khubaib, a Pakistani,"</b> the statement said, adding he was serving as a "launching commander" for hardline rebel group Lashkar-e-Tayyeba.
Security forces claimed to have gunned down another militant in village Kadipora of Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
Police spokesman said that on specific information about the presence of militants, a joint party of troops of 44 RR, 183 Bn CRPF, 182 Bn CRPF and Pulwama Police launched joint search operation in the forest area near village Kadipora.
Soon after the troops zeroed in on the target area, militants hiding there opened fire on troops triggering an encounter, which resulted in the killing of a militant. A police constable was also injured in the shootout.
<b>The slain militant was identified as Rayees Ahmad Dar alias Shiab, son of Mohammad Yasir, resident of Gadipora Shopian</b>, who was killed in the encounter. One AK 56 rifle, three magazines and 25 rounds were recovered from the killed militant.
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