 S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
BANDIPORA, June 14: Two militants and an army soldier were killed in an ongoing operation at forest area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Thursday. A top army official told early times that from last several days, the combing operation was on in Pannar forests of this north Kashmir district; there was an exchange of fire from both the sides, militants fired on security forces which were retaliated and the firing two militants were.
The bodies of the slain militants were recovered along with AK- 47 rifles and other arms and ammunition, said the official, adding identities and group affiliation of the slain militants was not immediately ascertained. An army jawan also sustained serious bullet wounds during the fresh gunfight today early morning, he said, adding that the injured soldier was immediately evacuated to military hospital, however, he succumbed. "The operation was launched last week when the militants and the government forces exchanged brief gunfight in Raynar forests adjacent to Panar area.
The operation with the help of additional reinforcement continued and entered on sixth straight day today," the officer said.
He said that during the period intermittent firing was also reported in the area, while as operation is still going on to trace out the other hiding militants, "the officer added.
Meanwhile army is claiming that they have recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site that includes, AK- 47 02 no, Magazines 09, AK Rounds 180, H/Grenade 03 no, GPS 01 no, Compass 01, Matrix Sheet 02, Pouch 01, Mobile Phone 02, Battery 02, Indian Currency of Rs 11,000 Damaged, Dairy 02, Cap 03, and Empty Cartridges and other war like store.
Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia confirmed to early times that two militants and a solider were killed today in the operation going on Raynar forest area of the Bandipora district since past six days. He said the bodies of the slain militants were recovered along with AK-47 rifles and other arms and ammunitions. However sources believe that some 2-3 militants are still hiding in the same forests, as the operation against them is on from past several days.
From past couple of weeks, intelligence agencies have observed that there is an abrupt increase in the militancy related incidents in north Kashmir, but they are ready and capable to tackle any untoward situations, said sources. |
