Nine militants dead in ongoing Kashmir operation

Srinagar, Sept 29 (PTI) With the recovery of two bodies of
militants early Monday morning, the death toll in the ongoing
operation to track town rebels in high-altitude areas of
Kashmir valley has gone up to nine, a defence spokesman said.

Bodies of the two slain militants were recovered from
Kangan, 40 km from here, the spokesman said.

"The identity and group affiliation of the deceased are
yet to be established," he said.

The operation was launched on Thursday following
information that a group of militants was moving from
Bandipora to Kangan in Ganderbal district. Many militants are
believed to be trapped in the area, according to officials.

So far, seven suspected foreign militants were killed in
fierce gunbattles at Lawantaz forest in the jurisdiction of
Kangan police station.

While three militants were killed on Thursday, four ultras
were gunned down on Saturday in the biggest operation against
the rebels in the recent months. An army jawan was also killed
during the operation.

"There might be some more splinter groups in the area but
we have enough troops to take on them," an army official had
said commenting on the operation.

The rise in militant activities in the upper reaches of
strategically important Kangan, 40 k.m.s. from here on
Srinagar-Leh national highway, in the past few months also
prompted the authorities to go after the militants to secure
the area, sources said.

The army and the local police parties scaled the area
from both sides - Bandipora and Kangan, while helicopters were
used for para-dropping soldiers in the high-altitude areas to
flush out the militants. PTI AMS
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