Srinagar encounter ends, 4 killed

Srinagar encounter ends, 4 killed

Sunday, January 16, 2005 (Srinagar):

The encounter between security forces and militants at a stadium in Srinagar has finally ended.

Security forces gunned down both the militants of Al Mansoorian, ending the nearly 26-hour gunbattle.

A spokesperson of Al-Mansoorian identified the two militants as Nayeem Ahmad of Handwara and Mohammad Sabir of Srinagar.

Amidst security

Two CRPF personnel were also killed and five others, including two sub-inspectors, were injured in the fierce fighting.

The encounter began on Saturday when two heavily armed militants forced their way into the passport office housed in an indoor stadium next to Bakshi stadium.

The suicide attack on the passport office came at a time when police and civil authorities have put in place tight security arrangements for the coming Republic Day and local bodies elections in the state.

Two militants of the same outfit had stormed the income tax office building on Friday and fought a pitched battle for more than 25 hours before being killed by security forces. (With PTI inputs)

from ndtv.com