Eleven militants including five infiltrators four of them Pakistani mercenaries were killed in various encounters as Army frustrated an attempt by a group of militants to cross over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir on Friday night, official sources said on Saturday.
The sources said army troops confronted a group of militants trying to infiltrate to Pakistan occupied Kashmir at Gornal Nallah near Eagle complex in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district on Friday night. The infiltrators were asked to surrender, but they opened fire and in the ensuing gunbattle five militants including four Pakistani mercenaries were killed, they said, adding some arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. This was the first attempt by foreign mercenaries to cross over to the other side, apparently to join Taliban militia in their war against US led forces in Afghanistan, the sources said.
In another incident, five militants of Pakistan based Al-Bader outfit were killed in a joint operation by the BSF, Army and police at Ashipora in Shopian area of Pulwama district in South Kashmir Friday night, they said. The operation in the area was continuing when reports last came in as the intelligence inputs revealed nine more militants were hiding in the area.
Army troops gunned down one more militant at Urpach in Ganderbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar early on Saturday. An AK rifle and some ammunition were seized from him, they said.

Bureau Report