12 July 2004	Monday	23 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

SRINAGAR, July 11: At least 16 people died in violence in occupied Kashmir, including three guerillas, police said on Sunday. The three Mujahideen were gunned down after they allegedly sneaked into Kupwara on Saturday night, a police spokesman said.

The Indian army says that more militants were waiting to cross over the Line of Control as snow in the mountain passes has begun to melt. Meanwhile, three militants and an Indian army officer died in an overnight clash in Anantnag, the spokesman said, adding that six more freedom fighters were shot in encounters in the districts of Doda, Poonch, Baramulla and Udhampur overnight and on Sunday.

Police also blamed militants for killing three Muslim civilians in the border areas of Poonch and Rajouri overnight. No group has claimed responsibility.

'INFORMER' GIRL: Suspected Muslim guerrillas sliced off the nose, ears and tongue of a 14-year-old girl in occupied Kashmir on Sunday, believing her to be an informer for the Indian army, police said.

Mariam Begum was abducted by a group of militants from her house in Doda district. "The abductee was let off by the terrorists. However her ears, nose and tongue have been chopped off," a police spokesman said. -Agencies