One militant, cop killed in separate encounters

policeman was killed and several others injured as suspected militants opened fire on a police post in Anantnag town on Saturday evening, sources said.

A police official said militants had fired on policemen near the town’s bus stand. At least two cops were reported to be seriously injured.

The attack came hours after a Hizbul Mujahedeen militant was gunned down in north Kashmir’s Sopore in an encounter with forces on Saturday morning. “The killed terrorist is Shahid Ahmad Sheikh aka Shaveed, resident of Kachloo, Qaziabad, Handwara. He belongs to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and was earlier with JeM,” a police spokesperson said.

Officials said one AK rifle, a grenade and some magazines were recovered.

A 22-year-old youth was injured as Pakistani Army shelled at least three Indian posts and forward villages along the LoC in Poonch on Saturday.

The injured youth was identified as Mohammed Younis, a resident of Bechari Balnoi in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district. “The victim has suffered splinter injuries on his right shoulder. He has been hospitalised in Mendhar. The injuries are not grave in nature,” said a police officer.

At around 10.30am on Saturday morning, Pakistani troops opened heavy fire and shot mortars from across the LoC in Debraj, Krishna Ghati, Ishapur and Balmoi areas in Mendhar sector, prompting retaliation by the Indian army, he said. Though some wires reported that a BSF jawan was also injured, a force spokesman denied the news.