Four militants killed by security forces in Shopian encounter

Srinagar: Four militants were killed in a fierce encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Shopian on Monday, a defence ministry spokesman said.

With this, a total of nine militants, including a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were killed by security forces in two different encounters in the valley during the past 24 hours.

On a specific information troop of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint CASO at Pinjoora in Shopian early this morning, Col Rajdesh Kalia told UNI.

He said when the troops were moving towards a particular area after sealing all exit points, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated and in the encounter four militants were killed, he said.

The operation was still going on when the reports last came in, Col Kalia said.(UNI)