Colonel killed, two injured in Kupwara encounter

Several anti-militancy operations are on in Kupwara district since November 13.

An army Colonel was killed and two security personnel injured in an encounter in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, as the operation against a group of militants entered fifth day on Tuesday.  

Preliminary reports suggest that the colonel was hit by incoming fire from hiding militants in Manigah area of Haihama in the frontier district, 90 km from Srinagar.

“One Army soldier and special operation group personnel were also injured in the gunfight,” said a local official on condition of anonymity.

Both the injured are undergoing treatment.

Several anti-militancy operations are on in Kupwara district since November 13, 2015. Initial reports suggest a militant was also injured in an exchange of fire on Friday last week.

 The fresh encounter started when the Army’s 41 RR and Para commandos confronted a group of militants on Monday evening.

 “There has been heavy exchange of fire since yesterday,” said the official.

 The militants are believed to be hiding at Behak forest area and continue to fire at the security forces.

  The group of militants has repeatedly given a slip to the security forces for many days now.

 The Army has neither divulged details about the operation nor confirmed the casualty so far.