SRINAGAR, May 26: At least 12 people, including an army officer and three jawans, were killed in separate encounters across the Kashmir valley since last evening.

A second lieutenant, three army jawans and two foreign mercenaries were killed in a fierce gun-battle between ultras and 17 Bihar regiment at Batwani village in Ganderbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar, security sources said. They added that the body of an unidentified person was also recovered from the encounter site.

The encounter broke out early on Sunday morning when the troops of 17 Bihar regiment cordoned Batwani village to flush out hiding militants, following a specific information.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.