Army colonel killed in J&K encounter

SRINAGAR: An Army Colonel was killed in a fierce gunbattle with militants while another encounter was going on in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The commanding officer of 29 Rashtriya Rifles, Colonel G S Sarna, was critically injured during an anti-militancy operation at Behrampura in Pattan area of Baramulla district, a police spokesman said.

The officer, who received two bullet injuries in his abdomen, was evacuated to army's base hospital here where he succumbed. Earlier, a defence spokesman said two jawans were also injured in the shootout.

One residential house, belonging to Mohammad Maqbool Lone, in which the militants had taken positions, was damaged in the exchange of fire between the two sides, he said.

Security agencies are suspecting that two to three militants including a self-styled district commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba were holed up in the security forces' cordon.

Another gunbattle broke out between security forces and militants at Dangerpora in Sopore area of the district. The exchange of fire was going on till last reports came in, he said.

Ten militants belonging to different groups on Saturday surrendered before security forces in Handwara area of Kupwara district, he said. The militants handed over five AK rifles, five pistols with magazines, one wireless set, one mobile phone and 48 rounds to the authorities.