Kashmir encounters: 2 militants neutralized, but Army lost two soldiers

Srinagar: An Army officer and a soldier, besides two militants, were killed and three jawans injured in two separate encounters in south Kashmir districts of Shopian and Kulgam early this morning. Official sources said that a patrol party of 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) came under heavy volume of fire by militants at Zaripora, Shopian, in south Kashmir at 0230 hrs early this morning resulting in injuries to five soldiers.

The soldiers were shifted to 92 base hospital where Major Kamlesh Panday and another injured Jawan succumbed. They said the entire Zaripora and adjoining areas have been sealed and a massive search operation has been launched against the militants reportedly holed up there.

Defence ministry spokesman Lt Col Rajesh Kalia told UNI that on a specific information about the militant movement, security forces laid down an ambush at Gopalpora, Kulgam, early this morning. However, when the two militants was asked to surrender, they opened fire, he said, adding that in the retaliatory action two militants were killed. Two weapons were recovered, he said adding that the operation is over and the identity of the slain militants was being ascertained.

However, a police spokesman said one of the slain militants was involved in the killing of five policemen and guards of a bank van in south Kashmir last month. In a tweet he said “Two militants killed by @JmuKmrPolice and SF in Gopalpora Kulgam. One of them was involved in killing of 5 policemen & guards of bank Van”. The authorities have imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC in Kulgam to prevent any law and order problem following the death of militants. (UNI)