Srinagar, May 29: Stepping up their anti-militancy operation, security forces today killed 21 militants in Anantnag and Pooch districts while six militants, including an al-Qaeda terrorist, surrendered in Jammu and Kashmir today. At least 15 militants were killed today in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag district in south Kashmir, defence sources here said. The encounter, which began early this morning following a tip off about presence of militants in Lacchipora village, was still on when reports last came in, defence sources said.

Six Pakistani militants were shot dead in Pir Panjal mountains in the border district of Poonch, the sources said.

On specific information about crossing over of a group of heavily armed militants in Pir Panjal ranges from Pakistan side, security forces launched a seek and destroy operation in the Kolian Doke forest belt in Poonch where they had taken shelter.

During the search of the area, militants fired grenades, they said adding troops fired back and in the gunbattle, which was still on, six militants were killed.

Four AK rifles, 7 magazines, 5 grenades and 136 rounds were recovered from them, they said.

Bureau Report