A day after four soldiers including a Major and two infiltrators were killed in a gunfight in Gurez sector of north Kashmir, four more militants were shot dead and a paratrooper commando was injured in a prolonged gun-battle with security forces in Rafiabad belt of Baramulla in north Kashmir, officials said.
An Army spokesman said the counter militant operation was underway as security forces suspected presence of more militants in the area.
The encounter took place in the wee hours on Wednesday when security forces launched a major operation in lidder Panzal forests of Rafiabad area following specific inputs about the presence of a group of militants in the area. A paratrooper commando was critically injured in the initial gunfight who was later evacuated to Army’s Base Hospital.
Security officials said that the militant group is believed to have recently infiltrated into this side of loC through Uri sector in Baramulla district.
Security sources said that a joint team of Army’s para commandos, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), and Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police cordoned off the area of Rafiabad. They said as the joint team reached near the suspected hiding place during searches, the hiding militants opened fire triggering an encounter.
Meanwhile, security forces apprehended a militant in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district late last night.
The arrested militant was identified as Abdul Majid Shah of Iqbal Colony Pattan in Baramulla district. Arms and ammunition and other incriminating material was recovered from him.
Police arrested Over Ground Worker (OGW) Irfan Ahmad of Hajam Mohalla Rathsuna Tral Pulwama district of Ansar Ghazwatul Hind militant outfit, from Sheeri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district yesterday. Some explosives were recovered from his possession.
Police have registered FIRs in both the cases.
Meanwhile, army on Wednesday paid rich tribute to four of its comrades who were killed during Counter Infiltration operations in Gurez Sector in which two militants also lost life.
In a solemn ceremony at XV Corps commander lt Gen AK Bhatt and all ranks paid homage to the four slain soldiers.
In a show of solidarity, SP Vaid, DGP Jammu and Kashmir Police and representatives from other security agencies also joined in to pay their last respects.
Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane, SM, Rifleman Hameer Singh, Rifleman Mandeep Singh Rawat and Gunner Vikram Jeet Singh sustained bullet injuries during the fierce operation in Kanzalwan, Gurez of Bandipora district. They were provided immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital but succumbed to their injuries.
Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane, (29) had joined the Army in 2011 and hailed from Thane, Maharashtra. He is survived by his wife and a son.Rifleman Hameer Singh, (28) had joined the Army in 2011 and hailed from Pohkhriyal Gaon, Dunda Tehsil, Uttar Kashi, Uttarakhand. He is survived by his wife and a daughter. Rifleman Mandeep Singh Rawat was 26 years old and had joined the Army in 2012. He belonged to Village Shivpur of Kotdwar in Uttarakhand and is survived by his mother. Gunner Vikram Jeet Singh, (25) had joined the Army in 2014. He belonged to Village Tepla of Brara Tehsil in Ambala, Haryana and is survived by his wife.
The mortal remains of the slain soldiers were flown for last rites to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours.