Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 22: A militant was killed in an encounter that broke out early today in Handwara area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district after security forces launched a massive operations against a group of militants.
Sources said that Army received information about presence of a group of militants in Hafrooda forest area two days ago and launched searches against them.
They said that Army’s 6 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) intercepted a newly infiltrated group of militants in Hafruda forests of Handwara early today. “The Army fired after citing a group of 3-4 militants and the militants returned the fire leading to a gunbattle ensued.
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The encounter continued throughout the day and as per Army one militant has been killed so far and during the searches of the area his body was recovered. Sources said that the militants belong to Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit.
There was no report about the injuries or casualties on Army side and entire forest area has been cordoned off by the forces to prevent militants from fleeing the encounter spot. The operation has been suspended for the night and it will be resumed in the morning.
Police’s Special Operation Group (SOG) also rushed to Hafruda forest area to assist the soldiers and more troops have been rushed to the forest area.
Army along the LoC was put on heightened alert as security agencies had inputs that the militant outfits across wanted to push in more militants this year. The vigil along the LoC was increased and patrolling was intensified to foil the infiltration attempts.
Army also deployed more troops in the forest areas near the LoC to put pressure on the militant groups from transporting the infiltrating militant groups into hinterland. The troops deployed in the forests neutralized several militant groups after they managed to sneak in.
Security forces achieved major successes this year and eliminated 134 militants so far including 7 top commanders. Majority of them were killed in last two months after security forces launched massive offensive in South Kashmir and along the LoC. Last year 150 were killed in Kashmir.
Despite the killing of 133 militants this year, 135 are operating in Kashmir and operations against them have been intensified.
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