LUCKNOW: In an apparent retaliation, Punjab militants killed five policemen in Shahampur and Bijnore districts while claiming three lives by setting off explosions in Nainital district Saturday night.
The retaliatory move came within 24 hours of the police claiming to have killed 10 militants in Pilibhit, a figure which has been disputed.
The Terai belt comprising the districts of philibhit, Nainital Shahjahanpur, Bijnore ,Lakhimpur Kheri and adjoin areas, is known to be a stronghold of the militants.
The encounter which provoked the militants took place late on Friday night near Bhopuraighat . The police are reported to have shot dead four militant in a fierce, encounter while these managed to escape towards the Banda police station area in the adjoining Shahjahanpur district.
The varying versions of the Pilibhit SP and the office of the DG of police here and the seizure of country made pistols and an ordinary gun had made the operation in trigging.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 19, 1991
