Six militants have been killed in an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir’s lolab area on Thursday. A string of encounters during past three weeks has resulted in heavy casualty on militants and security forces in the north Kashmir region.
Spokesman of the Ministry of Defence in Srinagar Col NN Joshi said that a joint party of Police and Army launched cordon and search operation in Dobwan forest area in Khurhama pocket of lolab in the north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday morning. The security forces had input that militant movement has been traced in the forest area. While the searches were being intensified, a group of militants opened fire in a bid to escape the cordoned area. This resulted into a heavy exchange of fire that continued several hours. Bodies of three militants were found at the site of encounter later. Three AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of arms and ammunition was also recovered. The cordon, however, continued throughout the day. later, in the evening, sources said, another contact was established with the militants resulting into death of three more militants. This is the biggest encounter so far in the area where militants suffered massive casualties.
Sources said the slain militants were likely to be part of an armed group that may have infiltrated in the area recently. One of the group members was killed on June 15 when the group was first spotted in the area. One soldier of 56 Rashtriya Rifles signalman Ajay Choudhary was injured in the gunfight who later succumbed to his injuries.
The security forces had intercepted a group of infiltrators on June 14 at Katwara forest area near Jet Gali, close to the line of Control in Machhil sector in Kupwara district. Four militants and a soldier were killed in the gunfight. Earlier this week, security forces arrested lashkar-e-Toiba militant Abu Ukasha alias Hanzullah at Sogam market in Kupwara when he was purchasing eatables for breaking his fast. Hanzullah is the third militant, believed to be a Pakistani resident, who was arrested by security forces this year.
Meanwhile, two grenades were lobbed at police in north Kashmir’s Sopore town in duration of two hours. The first grenade was lobbed at police in Amargarh area while another explosive was hurled in Model town area. There were no casualties.