Early Times Report
BANDIPORA (Gurez), Aug 7: Four army men including a Major were martyred in early morning ambush while as two heavily armed militants were also killed at Govind Nallah in Gurez sector on Tuesday.
A police official told Early Times that two militants were also killed in the retaliatory firing and their bodies were found later, though initial reports said four militants had been gunned down.
It was a group of 7-8 heavily armed militants who were attempting infiltration in Gurez sector, they were challenged by the army patrol manning the defence posts, however four of the intruders returned after which encounter started, the police official said.
The army confirmed that two militants had been killed and arms and ammunition also recovered from the killed militants.
A senior army officer said the army had foiled an infiltration bid in the Gurez sector. The encounter took place between Army's 36 Rashtriya Rifles battalion and the militants, who are believed to have been covered by Pakistan Army troops.
While two militants were killed, four others managed to escape back to the Pakistani side, the firing was reported at four Indian Army posts - Panth, Govind, Losar 1 and Bakhtor - on Monday night. Slain army men were identified as Major K P Rane, hawaldars Jamie Singh and Vikramjeet and Mandeep, a rifleman.
Sources said the encounter took place at Losar Nallah in Gurez sector of Bandipore district. The post that is closer to the spot of encounter is manned by security personnel from 36 Rashtriya Rifles (RR). It is learnt that over the years, a number of major infiltration bids have been reported from Gurez. On 20 August, 2011, the Indian Army had killed 12 militants along the LoC.
In July 2005, seven militants were killed in a gun battle that lasted three days. In July 2017, three militants were also killed as the army foiled their infiltration bid in the Gurez sector. The operation is still underway. As there are inputs about the presence of some militants in the dense forests, sources added. |
