Four militants and four security forces personnel, including a Major, were killed in two separate encounters in north Kashmir on Tuesday.
The personnel of Army’s 13 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF’s 45 Battalion and the police’s Special Operations Group came under fire from a group of Lashkar-e-Taiba militants hiding in a house at Parray Mohalla village, Hajin area, Bandipora, around 6 a.m. At least 11 security personnel, including an Army Major, a CRPF Commandant and a Station House Officer were injured in the firing.
Major S. Dhaiya, who was leading the operation, later succumbed to injuries on Tuesday, the Army said.
Five civilians sustained injuries. A police official said the initial round of firing by the militants injured four soldiers.
The militants hurled grenades in a bid to escape. Police sources believe around three militants escaped.
“Five jawans were injured and one militant was killed,” said an Army spokesman.
Sources said at least two jawans were critical, and the CRPF Commandant was shifted to New Delhi for treatment. Sources identified the slain LeT militant as Abu Haris, a non-local.
In a separate encounter on Tuesday afternoon, the Army said it killed three militants in the Handwara area.
“Three weapons have been recovered. One soldier was injured,” said a Srinagar-based Army spokesman. The militants were trapped after the forces launched a cordon operation in the area.
