Militant killed, 7th in July, in Kashmir's Handwara

An unidentified militant was killed today in north Kashmir's Handwara area, which has emerged as springboard of militancy with seven militants killed in the same area this month.

An unidentified militant was killed on Tuesday in north Kashmir's Handwara area, which has emerged as springboard of militancy with seven militants killed in the same area this month.

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The militant was killed in a search operation launched by the police and the Indian Army's 6 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Budshingi forest area of Zachaldara, Handwara.

"During the intervening night of July 16-17, the search operation was launched. Militants present in the forests opened fire on search party triggering an encounter," said a police spokesman.

The police have claimed to have recovered One AK 47 rifle, four AK 47 magazines and 94 rounds of AK ammunition from the slain militant.

"The body of the killed militant was handed over to local Auqaf Zachaldara for last rites after completing legal formalities," said the police spokesman.

The gunbattle between militants and security forces in Handwara-Kupwara belt left six militants dead in first two weeks of this month, with operation starting on June 30. Several houses were damaged during the exchange of fire.

North Kashmir has been witnessing an increase in militant activities with Lashkar-e-Taiba making fresh recruitments.

Many fresh recruits were to be sent across to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for arms training by only surviving Pakistani militant commander Fahadullah, according to the police.