6 Ultras, Soldier Killed In Shopian

Civilian dies in protests, toddler hurt

- Peerzada Ashiq

Nine people, including seven militants, one soldier and a civilian, were killed during operations by security forces against militant outfits in south Kashmir on Sunday, ending the Valley's bloodiest week this year with 26 casualties.

A senior police officer said six militants, including Hizbul Mujahideen's district commanders for Kulgam and Shopian, were surrounded by an operation team of the Army, the police and the CRPF in a predawn offensive in the Batagund area of Kapran village in Shopian following specific inputs.

The dead were identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Mir alias Hammad from the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Mohammad Abass Bhatt, Umar Majeed Ganaie alias Maaz alias Abu Hanzalla, Muhammad Waseem Wagay alias Saifullah and Khalid Farooq Malik alias Rafi alias Talha, all from the Hizb.