Two militants and an army soldier were killed in an ongoing operation launched by the government forces in a forest area in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday.
Army’s Srinagar-based spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said an infiltration bid was foiled in Gurez sector. “A solider and two militants have been killed so far in the operation going on Raynar forest area of the district since past six days. Search operation is still in progress,” Kalia said.
He said the bodies of the slain militants were recovered along with two AK-rifles and other arms and ammunition.
While talking to SSP Bandipora Sheikh Zulfikar Azad he said that the identities of the slain militants are yet to be ascertained, however it is believed that their identities could be foreign”, Azad added.
An army soldier sustained serious bullet wounds during the fresh gunfight early Thursday morning. “The injured soldier was immediately evacuated to military hospital where he succumbed,” said the official.
Soldier who was killed in an encounter was identified as Manvender Singh of 14 RR of Bandipora army camp.
An army official said a group of 18 militants tried to sneak into this side near Bagtore area of Gurez and reached Chandaji. The group, according to reports, travelled to Panar through Bonkoot and upon reaching Raynar forests, army personnel noticed the movement of militants and challenged them. Two soldiers had sustained injuries during a brief gunfight on the weekend.
A massive search operation was soon launched in the area by the army, which entered sixth day on Thursday.
“Operation is still going on to trace out the other hiding militants,” said an official.
On June 5, a heavily armed group of LeT militants stormed an army camp and police station in Hajin town of Bandipora district and lobbed grenades using several UBGLs on the army camp. After firing the militants managed to escape in nearby apple orchards.