SRINAGAR, March 13: Eleven Mujahideen, an Indian army soldier and four civilians were killed in violence in occupied Kashmir on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
The Indian army found the bodies of five freedom fighters in the Duraswani forests of the Kupwara district, an army spokesman said in Srinagar.
“The militants (Mujahideen) were found dead inside a cave during a cordon and search operation by the army,” he said.
“It is believed that the five were killed during a continuing seek and destroy operation launched last week by the army in the area.”
One of the dead was identified as Usman Jangi, who the army said was a “wanted” foreigner, without revealing his nationality.
The army alleged the five were members of Jaish-i-Mohammad.
Last week the Indian military launched a massive search operation in the mountainous caves of Kupwara, which straddles the Line of Control. Two Mujahideen and a soldier were killed in a fierce gunbattle on Tuesday night near the town of Sopore, 50 kilometres north of here.
Four other soldiers were injured in the fighting that erupted during a cordon and search operation.
Another freedom fighter was shot dead by the Indian army at the neighbouring village of Kaliban Sheeri, police said.
Indian troops also claimed killing three Mujahideen during an encounter at Budhal village, in Rajouri district.
Unidentified men abducted and shot dead a Muslim carpenter in Srinagar overnight.
Three more civilians, police said, were shot dead in different parts of the held state.
The victims included a forest guard and a school teacher.—AFP
