A militant and an army personnel were killed while another army soldier was injured in an encounter in Pulwama Wednesday morning.
The encounter broke out near Kamrazipora village at about 5 am.
According to an official, following input about militants, forces personnel launched a search operation near the village.
The exchange of firing took place soon as the cordon was laid, he said.
Two soldiers were injured in the initial firing.
Both the injured were immediately taken to Srinagar army base hospital for treatment.
Among the two injured personnel, one soldier identified as Sepoy Julajit Yadav later succumbed to his injuries at base hospital and another injured identified as Sepoy Vikas, who had received bullet injuries in the leg, is under treatment.
Later, during the exchange of firing one militant commander was killed. He was identified as Azaad Ahmad Lone son of Abdullah Lone @ Azaad Lelhari of Pulwama.
According to police he was associated with Hizbul Mujahideen. Arms were recovered from the spot, police said.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that one militant escaped from the spot.
“One militant was killed in Kamrazipora encounter. One AK 47 along with grenades, pouches & other war like stores were recovered. One soldier died during the duty,” PRO Army, Rajesh Kalia, said.
The dead body of the slain militant was taken by police to Srinagar where from it will be buried in Baramulla or Ganderbal, a police official said.
Of late, police have been denying the bodies of the militants to their families as their funerals attracted large crowds.
According to police, Azaad Lelhari was involved in the killing of police head constable Anoop Singh on May 22, 2020, at Prichoo Pulwama.
“Six FIRs were registered against him. Earlier he was detained under PSA as OGW and became active again,” DGP Dilbag Singh said.