Jammu, Apr 24: Three Pakistani militants were among five people killed in three separate militancy related incidents in Poonch and Doda districts of Jammu division since last night, according to official sources. In continued operation against militants in Surankote forest belt in Poonch district, a fierce gunbattle took place between militants and troops at Hillkaka in seek and destroy operation late last night, sources told a news agency here today. In the encounter, two Pakistani militants were killed on the spot and a jawan injured, the sources said adding the operation was still continuing to free Surankote hills from the presence of militants.

Four AK type rifles, six magazines, 13 grenades, two UBGL rounds, one rocket, three IEDs, one pistol and a wireless set were recovered, the sources said.

It may be recalled that 14 militants and a jawan were killed in Hillkaka area on Tuesday raising the total toll of militants to 16.

Militants kidnapped two civilians from Kori top village in Doda district and later shot them dead last evening, the sources said.

Identified as Kesar Ram and Baij Lal, their bullet riddled bodies were recovered by police and later handed over to family members today, the sources said.

One militant was killed when he tried to cross over to Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar area of Poonch district yesterday.

Bureau Report