Mir Iqbal
SRINAGAR, Feb 27: A fierce encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Moominabad in Ratsuna village of Tral town in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, late in the evening today.
Sources said that at least two- three militants present in the area opened fire on a patrolling party of Army’s 42 RR and SOG that led to the fierce encounter.
“Following this incident Army’s 42 RR and SOG cordoned off the area to eliminate the militants,” sources said.
They said that one of the militants believed trapped in the cordon took shelter in a cowshed, while other two managed to enter into a residential house.
This was the second encounter between the militants and security forces in last three days in south Kashmir. Earlier, two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were killed on Wednesday while two Army personnel, including a Major was injured during an encounter in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Sources said that the exchange of heavy firing was stopped due to the darkness of the night. “A tight security grid was put in place to hold back the militants and prevent them from escaping from the area,” they said.
“The encounter would resume tomorrow and the security forces target would be to neutralize all the armed militants who are hiding in the locality,” they said.
However, reports said that intermittent gunshots were heard after the security forces suspended their operation.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, south Kashmir, Ali Mohammad told Excelsior that a police party was rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. “Superintendent Police (SP) has been sent to the site and he was yet to return to give updates about the situation,” DIG said.
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