Six militants and a soldier were killed in two gun battles in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir on Friday. A house where the militants were hiding was blasted.
An Army spokesman said here that four infiltrators were killed in Nowgan Sector of Kupwara in an operation launched on Thursday. “Terrorists were attempting to infiltrate in the early hours of Thursday. Four heavily armed terrorists were killed. Four AK-47 rifles and ammunition were found near the site,” the spokesman said.
But the Army has not revealed the identities or affiliation of the militants.
In the operation that lasted 18 hours, one soldier was also killed. “Braving extremely harsh weather and a tough terrain, the Army foiled the infiltration bid. However, one soldier, who led his team and brought effective fire on the terrorists, was injured and died in the Army’s Base Hospital,” the spokesman said.
Two militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an operation launched around 6.30 a.m. on Friday in the Khonchipora-Tangmarg of Baramulla district.
“The area was cordoned off after information about the presence of militants in a house. The militants refused to surrender and fired at the search party. In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed,” the spokesman said.
Eyewitnesses said the exchange of fire continued even after the security forces blasted the house. Unconfirmed reports said two soldiers were injured.
The slain militants were identified as Mehraj Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Andargam, Pattan, and Aadil Ahmad, a resident of Brath, Sopore. “Two AK-series rifles and ammunition were recovered,” the spokesman said.
The killing of the two militants sparked clashes in Tangmarg and Pattan. Traffic on the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway and the Srinagar-Gulmarg Road was affected. Protesters hurled stones at the security forces who fired teargas shells.
