KL Report
SRINAGAR
A soldier was killed on Tuesday in an encounter at Sona Pandi area of Machil sector in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district while as Army claimed to have busted a militant hideout near LoC in Tanghdar sector of Kupwara district.
Official sources told Global News Service (GNS) that troopers of 5 ASAM Monday morning launched a massive operation following the infiltration attempt by a group of about 5 militants in which an unidentified intruder got killed.
“As such, Army intensified the combing operation from Tuesday morning. The remaining militants who were hiding in the dense forest area opened fire upon the forces ensuing a fresh gun battle,” sources said.
During the initial gun fight, a soldier was killed, sources said, adding the exchange of firing is still going on in the area.
Meanwhile, a senior doctor from Kupwara district hospital wishing anonymity said, “We have received an unidentified militant body today late afternoon. The age of the slain is nearly 60 years and he has received two bullets in his head and abdomen,” the doctor said.
Later, Police authorities handed over the body to the local Auqaf committee in Kalaroos. The locals late in the evening buried the slain militant in the “Shaheed” graveyard.
In another incident, sources said that a trooper identified as Rifle man Sonu Kumar was critically injured when militants ambushed a patrol party of army’s 4 KAMAW near Gohra Base area of Karnah in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday evening.
“Troopers retaliated, ensuing a brief encounter, however militants managed to escape,” sources said.
The injured soldier was immediately shifted to 168 Hospital in Drugmulla, Kupwara where his condition is said to be critical.
Meanwhile, troops launched a massive combing operation at Gohra Base forest area and its adjoining areas. “Additional reinforcements have been sent to the area and larger area has now been cordoned off with massive searches going on to flush out the militant group,” the sources told GNS.
The intelligence sources confirmed that there are three to four militants hiding in the forest area who had recently infiltrated form across the border along with some other militants.
Meanwhile, Army on Tuesday claimed to have busted a militant hideout at Feryael near Line of Control in Tanghdar sector of Kupwara district.
Based on specific information Army’s 20 RR during a raid busted a militant hideout and recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the site. “Two AK 56 rifles, two pistols with two Magazines, five rifle grenades, three Chinese hand grenades, nine RPG rounds, one binocular and a wireless set were recovered from the busted site,” a senior army official told GNS.
