SRINAGAR: Four Pakistani nationals and six local militants were among the 16 persons Killed while security forces captured 13 militants and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition in the Kashmir valley one day last week.

Meanwhile, life in the Valley was crippled dive to a bandh called by the All Party Hurriyat Conference.

An official spokesman Said that militants abducted four persons identified as Gholam Mohitddin Mala, Bashir Ahmed Mala, Javed Ahmed Khan and Ghulam Nabi Bhat from the houses at Pahalgam in South Kashmir district of Anantnag, A massive hunt has been launched to trace them. He said that 2 group of outlawed Hizbul Mohajidecn militants entered a migrant house at Baghe Mchrant, Where some surrendered militants were staying and kidnapped 12, of them. The decapitated bodies of three ‘of them were later recovered from nearby Kralpora area while MS. Tasleema, wife of another surrendered militant was found dead. The Hizbul Muhajideen has claimed responsibility for these killings and alleged that the surrendered militants were working forthe security forces: and harassing people of the area.

The spokesman said militants shot dead Mushtaq Ahmad Dar at Nastrullapora in the central district of Badgam while another person identi fied as Abdul Gani Ganai was killed by some unidentified militants at Lalpora Kupwara ‘when he was coaling out of a mosque. The spokesman said that security forces shot dead three Pakistani nationals, immediately after they crossed over to this side from Gulbgarh post. ‘The intruders were killed after they ignored the forces signal to stop.

Meanwhile militants hurled a hand grenade into te house of one Sarafraz Khan at Gullibagh Ganderbal, resulting in his death and injuries to ‘his wife.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 14, 1996