Two militants, two Air Force Garud personnel killed in Kashmir encounter

Srinagar: Two Air Force Garud personnel and two militants, were killed in a fierce encounter in the north Kashmir district of Bandipora on Wednesday. This is for the first time Air Force Garud persons were killed in an operation against militancy since the eruption of militancy in early 90s.

On a specific information about the presence of militants, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and Paramilitary forces cordoned off Rakh Paribal, Hajin, in Bandipora district at 0500 hrs on Wednesday, a defence ministry spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia told UNI. He said the Air Force Garud persons were also operating with the Army for operational experience and training.

However, when security forces were moving towards a particular area in the cordoned off village, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons and lobbed hand grenades. Col Kalia said two Air Force Garud persons were martyred in the encounter which was still going on when the reports last came in.

The security forces also retaliated and in the ensuing encounter two militants were so far killed. The identity of the militants was being ascertained. However, they are believed to be foreigners. Col Kalia said the operation was going on when the reports last came in as there are more militants trapped there. Defence spokesman said that Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks salute the martyrs and offer condolences to the bereaved families.

Official sources said that there were three to five militants hiding in the Hajin area, where security forces conducted several search operations during the past two months. Security forces believed that militants who killed a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan in Bandipora last month are hiding in Hajin area. Additional security forces and state police personnel have been rushed and deployed outside the cordoned to prevent any demonstrations as was being witnessed in the past. (UNI)