4 militants shot dead in Kulgam, 2 soldiers martyred

A drone being used at the encounter site at Modergam, Kulgam. — Excelsior/Sajjad Dar
A drone being used at the encounter site at Modergam, Kulgam. — Excelsior/Sajjad Dar

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, July 6: Four militants were shot dead and two soldiers martyred in twin encounters that broke out between security forces and militants in the Modergam and Chinigam areas of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district today.

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An official said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 9 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation based on specific information about the presence of militants in Modergam, Kulgam.

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He said that as the joint teams of security forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
“During the exchange of fire, one soldier was injured and evacuated to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. He has been identified as Sepoy Pawan of 1-Para of Army,” the official said, adding that the exchange of fire is ongoing in the area, where two to three militants are believed to be trapped.
The official said that based on specific input about the presence of a group of militants, a joint team of Police, Army’s 1st RR, and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Chinigam, Frisal, Kulgam.
“As the joint teams of security forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering another encounter,” he said.
“During the exchange of fire, four militants were killed while one soldier was injured and hospitalised. The operation is ongoing, and one more militant is believed to be trapped inside,” he said.
He said that the injured solidier later succumbed.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdi, told reporters near the encounter spot in Kulgam, that few bodies have been sighted at the encounter spot in Chinigam, and firing is still ongoing. “The exact number of militants killed or trapped, along with their identities, can only be ascertained once the encounter concludes, but as of now, the fire is ongoing,” he said.
The IGP confirmed that there are fatalities and injuries on the side of the security forces, but the encounters are still in progress. “Both encounters are far from the national highway and security forces keep tracking terrorist movements,” he said.
Birdi added that the killing of the militants is a significant achievement for all security forces and that further details will be shared once the operations conclude.