Shopian encounter: Army havaldar martyred, two militants killed

Srinagar: Two unidentified militants were killed and Army havaldar martyred in an encounter which ensued on late Saturday evening during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Shopian, a defence ministry spokesman said on Sunday.

The operation is over after bodies of both the slain militants were recovered.

Meanwhile, mobile internet remained suspended in Shopian since last night.

Giving details about the encounter, he said troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint search operation at village Wanga, Shopian late Saturday evening.

However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding there opened fire, he said, adding that the security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter.

Trapped militants were asked to surrender who continued firing, he said.

In the initial encounter, a militant was killed and two soldiers injured. Later, Havaldar Pinku Sharma died while another was shifted to 92 Base hospital, Srinagar.

He said encounter continued during the night in which another militant was killed.

One MI one and one AK rifle were recovered from the slain militants.

Earlier, militants were repeatedly asked to surrender.

Meanwhile, additional security forces and police have been deployed in the adjoining areas to prevent any law and order problem. (UNI)