Four militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Ashtal village in southern Kashmir’s Kulgam district Sunday evening.
A police official said the gunfight erupted after police,CRPF and army ambushed a group of militants at around 8:30 pm.
“The militants opened fire after being challenged. The firewas retaliated, triggering an encounter,” he said.
The police official said that two militants were killed inan initial exchange of fire, while an Army Major also received bullet injury inhis foot.
“The other two militants ran away and tried to take shelterin a school building, but were killed,” he said.
The police official said the building has been cordoned offand searches launched to ascertain the possibility of any more militants.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar,confirmed the killing of four militants.
“The operation is on,” he said.
IGP also confirmed the injury to an Army Major.
This is the fifth encounter in south Kashmir in the pasteight days. Ten local militants and one of their associates were gunned down inthe previous four encounters.
All the bodies were taken by police either to north Kashmiror central Kashmir’s Sonamarg for burial.