27 October 2004	Wednesday	12 Ramazan 1425

SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Indian troops have shot dead six people, five of them were trying to sneak across the border, police said on Tuesday.

Four people were gunned down by Indian soldiers on Tuesday evening in the Machil sector of northern Kupwara district, a police officer said.

"The four died during an encounter that erupted after Indian troops asked them to surrender once they entered our side (occupied Kashmir)," the officer said, adding they opened fire instead of giving themselves up.

Four AK assault rifles and other arms were recovered near the area where the encounter took place, he said.

"Despite intermittent rain and snow in the area, searches are continuing (for) more militants in the sector," he said.

Another man was gunned down overnight the moment he crossed into occupied Kashmir in southern Poonch district, a police spokesman said.

Another man, police said, was shot dead in the southern district of Rajouri during a cordon and search operation.

In other violence, Mujahideen shot dead a civilian overnight in the district of Doda, 105 miles south of Srinagar, police said.

Meanwhile, two suspected people in southern Anantnag district have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a landmine explosion that killed 29 soldiers and members of their families on May 23 this year, police said.-AFP