Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 22: Security forces have engaged a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in a fierce gun battle in Handwara forests in North Kashmir and so far one Army man has been injured.
Sources said that acting on a specific information about the presence of militants in forest area in Zachaldara, Army’s 21 RR, 6 RR, 9 Para and SOG cordoned off the Krumhura area in Zachaldara forests this evening. They received reports about presence of 3-4 Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in the area who had to come to the village for taking food.
As the troops cordoned off the area, militants opened fire upon them resulting in heavy fire exchange between forces and militants in which one Army jawan was injured. He has been removed to hospital for treatment.
The gunfight was going on when last reports reached in. Unconfirmed reports suggest that one militant has been shot dead. However, police says it is pitch dark in the area and killing of a militant can’t be confirmed.
Troops have strengthened the cordon around the forest area and have also lit up the area to ensure that the militants don’t flee the cordon area. More troops have been rushed to the area.
In the meantime, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detected and defused by security forces in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district today while in another incident, an unpinned grenade was destroyed in neigbouring Shopian district.
An Army patrol detected an IED in Mahipora village of Kulgam district this morning. The IED was hidden behind weeds near a school. The Army patrol immediately informed Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) of police and they rushed to the spot.
The IED, suspected to be planted by militants, was defused by the BDS personnel and a major tragedy was averted.
In another incident, cops at Police Station Shopian learnt through reliable sources that some suspected object is lying near nala at Dunbwani village of the district. “Based on this, a police party along with Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the spot. During the process it came to fore that it seems an unpinned grenade covered around with carbon paper and polythene to give chance to open so that it will explode and will cause harm to life and property,” a police official said.
He said that the BDS, after “timely technical intervention”, destroyed the grenade.
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