Four militants and two soldiers were killed and three army men including an officer sustained injuries in two separate encounters at Keran sector and Kalaroos in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday.Official sources had earlier told GNS that a group of at least 6-8 infiltrators who had sneaked in to this side of Line of Control near Z-Gali in Machil sector likely on August 21/22. The group after reaching Dhok Behak area of Nunwani in Kalaroos was intercepted by the army’s 41 RR and 45 RR.“The militants after being challenged opened fire upon the forces, the fire was retaliated ensuing a fierce gunbattle”, they said, adding that the helicopters were also pressed into service.
During the gunfight four militants and a soldier have been killed and three army men including an officer got injured, they said.Among the three injured, two soldiers have been identified as Naik Vinod Kumar of 45 RR and Naik Niraj Kumar Singh of 57 RR were immediately airlifted to army’s 92 base hospital here in Badambagh Srinagar where Niraj Kumar succumbed to injuries, they said.“A reinforcement of army’s 18 RR and 28 RR also cordoned off the all forest routes connecting to Nunwani Kalaroos”, they said.When reports last came in the operation was still going on. (GNS)