Srinagar, July. Thirty one people, 26 of them militants were killed in escalating violence in Kashmir during the past 24 hours, At least two of them were killed in a” fake encounters”

According to an official spokesman the security forces killed five militants in the 5-km security belt along the border in Kupwara sector yesterday. The militants, the spokesman said, were intercepted while returning from Azad Kashmir, This was the second such encounter in two days. Eight militants were killed in similar circumstances on Saturday.

According to the spokesman, two militants, were killed in an exchange 9 of fire with the security forces during cordon and search operations at Zagipora, near the border town of Handwara. Unofficial reports said two security personnel were also killed in the encounter.

Six killed: The spokesman said an encounter took place today between militants and the security forces in the Wular lake area, in

Baramullah district in which six militants were killed, In another encounter in Gulmarg area in the same district, five militants were killed, the spokesman said. Report reaching here from Kulgam town of south Kashmir said that two activists of the Hibul Mujahideen were killed in a fierce gun battle with the Army at Yarepora village yesterday. The Army is reported to have suffered Casualties in the encounter.

The Border Security Force in a crackdown operation in the Srinagar city today killed the suspected militants. Police confirmed the casualties but gave no details.

One Bashir Ahmed Hajam was beaten to death and later shoat by the security forces at Seuloo, 8km from Sopore town yesterday. An official spokesman while confirming the death in custody said the militant was killed while he was trying to escape when the securities forces and the militants were engaged in an exchange of fire.

The security forces also killed a militant at Puniwa in Pulwama district after arresting him. However an official spokesman an said he was killed in an encounter.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 9, 1993