SRINAGAR, July 13: Suspected Mujahideen shot dead six Kashmiris and three Indian soldiers in occupied Kashmir, where troops also shot dead six rebels in separate encounters, a police spokesman said on Sunday.

He said suspected Mujahideen shot dead four Muslims, including mother and son, in three different shooting incidents in Poonch district on Sunday.

The mother and son — Azmat Bibi and Munshi Gani — were shot dead in the village of Surankote, where they had gone to meet a relative.

Two other persons shot dead in Poonch were identified as Manzoor Khan, a retired federal policeman, and Jamal Din Gujjar, a shepherd.

Police said suspected freedom fighters shot dead two more men— Ashiq Hussain and Mohammed Rafiq — in the districts of Doda and Kupwara.

Police blamed Kashmiri fighters for all six killings, but none of the dozen groups fighting Indian-rule in Kashmir, claimed responsibility.

Meanwhile, Indian security forces on Sunday shot dead five Muslims in three separate encounters in southern Rajouri and northern Kupwara districts.

Police said all the three encounters erupted during cordon and search operations launched by the troops.

“Security forces did not suffer any casualties in these encounters,” the spokesman said.

Indian troops recovered explosives, three grenades, one landmine with a remote control and a radio set from a hide-out in northern Baramulla district overnight, police said.

In another incident in Dudasanpai in Rajouri, three Indian soldiers and a Mujahid were killed in a late Sunday evening encounter, a spokesman said.—AFP