Two militants killed, a soldier martyred in north Kashmir

Srinagar: Two militants, believed to be foreigners, were killed and a soldier was martyred in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, where troops are conducting Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) for the past six days, a Defence ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

Col Rajesh Kalia told UNI that with the first light this morning, troops resumed CASO in the woods at Panar, Bandipora. However, when the troops were moving ahead deep into forest, militants opened fire with automatic weapons, he said, adding, the troops also retaliated and in the fierce encounter two militants were killed.

A soldier was also martyred, Col Kalia said, adding, the operation was going on when the reports last came in.In earlier contact two soldiers were injured and there was intermittent firing in the woods for the past about a week when search operation was launched.

 Meanwhile, soldiers are also conducting searches near Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector, where troops killed six infiltrators immediately after they crossed over to this side from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) early Sunday morning.  

This was the fourth infiltration attempt by militants from POK during the past few weeks. With these killing about 16 militants were killed after they sneaked into this side in north Kashmir during the past few weeks. However, a soldier was martyred and another was injured in one of the encounter.

A large number of militants are waiting at launch pads near LoC to infiltrate into this side from POK during summer month. However, troops are already on high alert and have intensified ground and night patrolling to scuttle any attempt by militants to enter this side.(UNI)