Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 5: Security forces killed three militants in a fierce encounter in Bungas valley of North Kashmir’s frontier district of Kupwara today.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman Lt. Colonel J S Brar said that three militants were killed so far while the operation in the woods of the Bungas valley that was launched last week is still in progress.
The spokesman said that the contact was established with a group of militants early in the morning today at the Bungas valley near the Line of Control (LoC). The militants fired on the security forces resulting in a fierce encounter.
He said that the operation in the woods and general area of Handwara started last week after specific information about presence of heavily armed militants in the Bungas valley.
The spokesman said that on the second day of the operation last week, an unidentified militant was killed during the encounter. And an 18-year-old youth was injured on Tuesday night this week in Army firing after he failed to stop his vehicle during a naka check in Zachaldara area of Handwara.
“An operation has been going on in general area of Handwara since last Friday. There was information about three militants traveling on Zachaldara-Handwara road in a vehicle last night and multiple barriers were erected”, the spokesman said adding that a TATA mobile vehicle tried to by pass the barrier when signaled to stop. He said that it was driven by one Jehangir Gul and along with him was Bilal Ahmad Magray was traveling.
It may be mentioned here that the Army fired on the vehicle and Bilal Magray was injured in his leg. This was followed by protests in Handwara. Government has already ordered magisterial inquiry into the firing.
The Bungas valley where the three militants were killed is near the Line of Control. The security forces along the LoC have tightened the security gird following reports of militants in large numbers trying to infiltrate into Kashmir valley.
The security agencies said that around 500 militants are desperately waiting to cross into Jammu and Kashmir. They say that they are desperate to infiltrate but the tightened vigil along the LoC foiled their bids. Some of the militants have been killed and majorities have been forced to go back to their launching pads.
Director General of Police (DGP), K Rajendra, said here last week that around 10-15 have managed to infiltrate into Kashmir this year.
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