Five militants and five army soldiers were killed in an encounter in Keran area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday.
Army officials said the encounter occurred in ShalbatooJumgund area of Keran Sector after the militants crossed over to this side ofthe line of control.
“Five militants have been killed in the operation that waslaunched four days ago,” SSP Kupwara Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar told GreaterKashmir. “The operation is underway.”
PRO Defence, Colonel Rajesh Kalia, said that troops werebraving inclement weather and hostile terrain.
“Evacuation of the injured was hampered due to heavy snowand rough terrain,” he said, adding, “We are looking for other militants.”
“Other injured soldiers are undergoing treatment,” ColonelRajesh Kalia informed.
Sources in the security establishment said that a group ofmilitants had sneaked into this side of LoC during the night of April 1 alongthe Gulab Post in Keran Sector. However, they were intercepted by a patrollingparty of 8 JAT regiment deployed in Shalbutoo Jumgund.
After the initial exchange of fire, they said, the militantsmanaged to take shelter in dense forests. However, a massive search operationwas launched with additional reinforcement of elite 4-Para soldiers.
Sources said that on Saturday evening during searches by 8JAT and 4 Para, contact was established again. They said that heavy exchange offire continued throughout night during which five militants were killed.
In the initial exchange of fire, sources said, one soldierwas killed and four others of 8 JAT were critically injured. “However, theylater succumbed to their injuries,” a senior Army officer told Greater Kashmir.
A vast area around Shalbatoo has been cordoned off andsearches carried out. Three army units that include 57 RR, 160 TA and 41 RRwere also involved in search operations.
Yesterday four militants were killed in Kulgam district ofsouthern Kashmir.