Plot to disrupt Amarnath yatra foiled

JAMMU, July 30: Security forces foiled a plan by militants to disrupt the annual Amarnath yatra, destroyed their hideout on Jammu-Srinagar highway and killed two of them in a protracted encounter, a defence spokesman said here on Wednesday.

The encounter followed firing by militants from a two-storied house in Ramsu area on a patrol party late Tuesday night. The security forces returned the fire and encircled the house.

During the exchange the building caught fire due to an explosion of the ammunition stored inside it, the spokesman said.

Two bodies were found inside the building after the fire was brought under control by the security forces.