Unidentified JeM militant killed, CRPF jawan injured in Kashmir encounter

Srinagar:An unidentified militant of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was killed and a security force jawan was injured in an encounter which ensued on Monday evening during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in central Kashmir district of Badgam, where mobile internet service was suspended as a precautionary measure.

A police spokesman said on Tuesday that a militant was killed this morning while a security jawan was injured last night and the operation was still going on when the reports last came in.

The road to Shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Wali was closed for any traffic and pedestrian movement as precautionary measure due to operation at Nowhard on Chadoora-Charar-e-Sharief road.

Giving details about the encounter on Tuesday, he said troops Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint CASO at Nowhard, Charar-e-Sharief in Badgam district last evening following a tip off about the presence of militants.

He said the entire area was cordoned off and security forces launched house-to-house searches. However, when the security forces were moving towards a house, the militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.

A security force jawan was injured in the initial encounter. The jawan was rushed to hospital where his condition is stated to be stable. People living in the adjacent areas were asked to leave for safe places. 

Additional security forces were rushed to the area to further tighten the cordon around the particular house.Security forces installed search lights in the entire area to keep a close vigil to foil any attempt by militants to escape.

Spokesman said there was almost no firing during the night after heavy exchange of fire last night.However, this morning with the first light, security forces made an all out offensive against the holed up militants who again resorted to heavy firing.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Badgam Amod Nagpur said the slain militant belongs to JeM. However, he was not yet identified, he said, adding large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.  He said there are some other militants operating in the area.

Additional security forces were deployed in the adjacent areas and Charar-e-Sharief town, about a km from the encounter site to maintain law and order.A defence ministry spokesman said an unidentified militant was killed and one pistol was recovered from his possession.(UNI)