Srinagar, December 19, 2005 (Daily Excelsior)

A top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed militant outfit was killed in an encounter at Lolab Kupwara, north Kashmir today while as in south Kashmir district of Anantnag a fierce encounter was going on between the holed up militants and the troops in which one militant was reportedly killed till last reports came in.

According to the sources, a joint party of SOG Kupwara and 19 RR launched an operation in Lalpora village of Lolab Kupwara after being tipped off locally about the presence of militants there.

The sources said that the militants hiding there were asked to surrender, however they refused and opened fire on the troops. The fire was returned triggering a fierce encounter during which one militant was killed.

The slain militant was identified as Qari Zarar, a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed militant outfit.

Reports from south Kashmir said that troopers of 1st RR, SOG Anantnag and 162 Battalion Territorial Army cordoned off Malaknag village in Anantnag early this evening.

Sources said that militants hiding in the house of one Ghulam Ahmed Wagay opened fire on the troops, after they refused the surrender offer. The fire was returned ensuing into a fierce encounter, which was going on till reports last came in.

The spokesman said police apprehended four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit from Pulwama district. All of them are being questioned. Security forces recovered two hand grenades and 10 AK rounds at village Redwani in Anantnag district during a search operation, the spokesman said.