SRINAGAR : Two soldiers were martyred and all the three terrorists were killed in a fierce encounter that lasted over 12 hours in south Kashmir district of Shopian.
In the encounter, three jawans, including an officer, were injured. Director General of Police (DGP) Dr S P Vaid has confirmed the death of all the three holed up militants in the encounter.
With this a total of 20 militants, including five infiltrators, were killed this month in different encounters with security forces in the valley. Meanwhile, a police spokesman denied rumours that any mosque was damaged in the encounter which ensued after security forces launched search operation last night in village Awneera in Shopian district of south Kashmir following a tip off about the presence of militants.
Sources said Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint operation in the village following tip off about the presence of a group of three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) last night.
However, immediately after the search operation was launched, locals hit the streets and clashed with the security forces to disrupt the operation. They said when the security forces were moving towards particular area in the Asthan Mohalla in the village, militants resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.
The fire was returned and in the initial gun battle, five soldiers, including an officer, were injured. Two of the injured succumbed before reaching to hospital, they said, adding that another injured have been hospitalised.
Additional security forces were rushed to the area and entire area was sealed to prevent militants to escape from the cordoned off area.
With the first light this morning, security forces resumed search operation in the area.
The house from where the militants were firing was blasted by the security forces, they said, adding that all the three militants hiding there have been killed.
Dr Vaid in a tweet “Today morning 3 Terrorists Eliminated at Zainpora Shopian. Well done boys!”. (AGENCIES)
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