A day after Defence Minister Arun Jaitley travelled to line of Control area in north Kashmir to assess ground situation, a fierce encounter between infiltrators and Indian Army left two soldiers and two militants dead near the loC in Nowgam sector of northern Kupwara district on Saturday.
Jaitley had issued stern warning to Pakistan and militants after holding a crucial review meeting at XV corps headquarters, which was attended by chief of Army staff and Defence Secretary.
The latest casualties took place when the Army foiled infiltration bid after intercepting a group of militants close to the loC in Nowgam sector, 120 kilometres from Srinagar.
Sources confirmed that two soldiers and two infiltrators were killed in the fierce gunfight that lasted several hours. They said the alert troops intercepted the group of militants and on challenging them a fierce gunfight ensued that resulted into killing of two soldiers and two militants.
They said the gunfight stopped in the evening and a tight cordon was laid around the forested area to track down other members of the group.
Sources said the combing operation was halted but the area remained besieged. The operation would be resumed on Sunday.
The identity of slain militants and their allegiance was not immediately ascertained.
Meanwhile, reports said that a policeman deployed in Bugam village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district deserted along-with four service rifles. A manhunt has been launched to nab the fugitive policeman.