Six militants, soldier killed in Kashmir

Srinagar

In one incident, four militants were killed in a two-day anti-infiltration operation along the Line of Control in Naugam sector in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, army said on Friday. Army Havildar Hangpand Dada also lost his life in the gunfight with the heavily-armed terrorists who were spotted trying to sneak into India from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Thursday, an Army official said. He said the bodies of the terrorists were recovered from the site along with four AK-47 rifles, ammunition and other war-like stores.

Dada (36), who led his team, was seriously injured during the gun fight and succumbed to injuries while being evacuated to Army Base Hospital, the official said. Dada is survived by wife, a daughter and a son. The identity of four militants is yet to be ascertained, the official said. In a separate incident, two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Tangmarg area of Baramulla district on Friday, police said.

The gunbattle erupted after a joint team of police, army and CRPF launched cordon and search operation in the wee hours in Khonchipora village, about 35 kms from here, a police spokesman said. “The hiding militants were asked to surrender which they refused and instead fired upon the joint search party, resulting in an encounter,” the spokesman said. The slain militants have been identified as Mehraj Ahmad Bhat and Aadil Ahmad.

Two army soldiers were also injured in the operation, an army official said.