Srinagar: Six militants and two soldiers have been killed in two ongoing encounters between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain reported that six militants have been killed in these twin encounters.
“Based on confirmed identifications, six militants have been killed in the twin gunfights in Kulgam so far,” he stated.
The DGP highlighted that the elimination of six militants in these encounters is a significant achievement for security forces.
The first encounter began in the village yesterday afternoon after security forces launched a search operation based on information about the presence of militants. During the initial gunfight in Modergam village, a soldier, para commando Lance Naik Pradeep Nain, was injured and later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
“The search operation in the village continues. Additional troops have been deployed to tighten the siege,” a police official said.
A second gunfight is ongoing between militants and security forces in the Frisal Chinnigam area of Kulgam district.
“So far, four militants have been killed, and their bodies have been sighted near the encounter site in Frisal Chinnigam,” another police official stated.
An army man, Havaldar Raj Kumar of 1 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), was also killed in this encounter.
Security officials are using drones at both encounter sites to track the militants’ movements and are monitoring and analyzing the drone footage.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V K Birdi mentioned that the exact number of militants killed or trapped in the twin encounters will be confirmed once the operations conclude and bodies are recovered.
When asked about the identity of the slain militants, the DGP said, “The operations are ongoing. Once they conclude, we can clarify the identities and affiliations of the slain terrorists.”
“We have reports of local militants being present at both encounter sites. Once the encounters end, we can determine whether the militants belonged to one outfit or different groups.”
Security officials suspect that the militants involved in the twin encounters are affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen.
These encounters occur amid heightened security arrangements in Kashmir due to the ongoing 52-day-long Amarnath yatra to the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
In a related incident in Rajouri, an army jawan was injured during an attack by militants on a Territorial Army post in Galuthi village, Manjakote area.
Sources reported that militants fired at the post early in the morning, and the army returned fire. The exchange of gunfire lasted about half an hour.
One soldier was injured and evacuated to a military hospital. Security forces have launched a search operation in the village to track down the militants responsible for the attack.
