Four unidentified terrorists have been killed in a prolonged gun-battle in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday while a soldier, part of a road opening party, shot himself dead in south Kashmir’s Qazigund pocket.
Sources said that a fierce gun-battle erupted between terrorists and security forces in Arampora-Helmatpora cluster in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday afternoon. In the initial gunfight two terrorists were killed. The security forces have cordoned off a vast area and plugged all entry and exit routes towards the encounter site. Two more terrorists were killed in subsequent gunfight.
“Encounter is in progress. So far four terrorists have been killed,” Srinagar-based defense spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.
Meanwhile, a soldier posted in south Kashmir committed suicide after shooting himself with service rifle. The soldier identified as Kulwinder Singh was part of a road opening party on Srinagar-Jammu National highway. The reasons for taking extereme step were not immediately known.
“A case has been registered and investigation taken up,” police said.
The incidents of soldiers committing suicide have again occurred in Kashmir during past two months after the trend had significantly been arrested. Officials say that the soldiers perform duties under tremendous psychological pressure. The Army had taken a slew of measures to de-stress the soldiers.