Rajouri, July 16: A Major and two troopers were injured on Friday in Mendhar gunfight going on between militants and troops for the past five days in Poonch district. The encounter started on Monday in Mendhar tehsil and a Major and two militants have been killed so far while Commanding Officer of 37 RR and five troopers have been injured.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that Major GS Shekhawat and two troopers, Naik Narinder Singh and Sepoy Bhanu Partap, all belonging to 43 RR, were injured on Friday during a gunfight with militants in Bri Rakh forest area. All the injured troopers have been shifted to Udhampur Command hospital for treatment.
 Earlier, a Major was killed while six troopers including Commanding Officer of 37 RR were seriously injured in a gun-battle on the intervening  night of Tuesday and Wednesday. It was followed by the killing of two militants on Thursday. Three police personnel were also injured on Thursday.
 Independent sources told Greater Kashmir that army has pressed about three units in the operation besides strong contingent of SOG of police. The units involved in the operation are 37 RR, 43 RR and 9 Para. Apart from this, Poonch police is also in full swing.
 The forest area of Beri Rakh in Mendhar tehsil was cordoned off by the forces on Monday and the operation entered its 5th day on Friday. Sources said the forest is dense and not easy for any operation. A year ago troops had launched a long operation in the same area but had to withdraw after 20 days of futile searches.
 There is no official word about the culmination of the operation as the forces claim that there are still two militants present inside the cordoned off forest. Troops also claimed that Pakistani troops fired heavily on Indian posts last night in the same area to divert the attention of the forces from the operation.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST