3 militants killed, soldier injured in Bandipora encounter
Bandipora: Three unidentified militants were killed while a soldier was wounded in a fierce gun-battle in Shokbaba forest area of Sumlar in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, police said Saturday.
A police official said that “the operation is still underway and searches are on to rule out the presence of any more terrorists.”
A police spokesman in a statement said that “on a specific input generated by police regarding presence of terrorists in the forest area of Shokbaba Sumlar-Aragam area of Bandipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by police, 13RR, 14RR, Para (SF), MARCOS (Marine Commandos) and CRPF in the area.
“During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the joint search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the initial exchange of fire, one army personnel of 14RR received gunshot injuries. He was immediately evacuated to hospital for treatment of his injuries,” the spokesman said, adding that in the ensuing encounter, “so far three unidentified terrorists have been killed.”
He said the operation in the area is still going on. “Further details shall be communicated as and when the operation will conclude,” the police spokesman said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said “Three unidentified terrorists were killed while one soldier was also injured in the initial exchange of fire. The soldier was evacuated to Army’s 92 base hospital.”
Police sources said that it was being ascertained “whether the slain terrorists had recently infiltrated or were hiding in the forest belt of Shokbaba range.”
