Army officer killed in gunbattle

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU, DEC. 12. Two militant outfits, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, struck again today claiming the lives of an Army Major and a jawan, besides causing injuries to six, including four Border Security Force personnel and a child.

According to police, two militants tried to force their entry into a security camp at Shutloo in Baramulla district in the wee hours. The forces engaged the militants. One of them was injured but both escaped. Major Mahinder Singh of the 28 Rashtriya Rifles and a soldier were killed in the gunbattle.

A LeT spokesman phoned newspaper offices in Srinagar and claimed responsibility for the attack. He said at least eight security force personnel were killed and several injured, reiterating that the attacks would continue. Security forces launched a massive operation to nab the militants.

Four BSF jawans, a child and a man were seriously injured when militants detonated a landmine in the Pandit Bagh area near Hazratbal in Srinagar. The mine was planted on a cycle as was the case in yesterday's blast at Qamarwari. The Jaish-e- Mohammad has owned responsibility for the blast. A spokesman said heavy losses were inflicted on the security forces.

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