SRINAGAR: Three militants were killed and a jawan was injured in a 19-hour-long encounter which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Shopian.
With this, 18 militants have been killed in seven operations during the last ten days in Kashmir valley.
Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at Melhora in Shopian on Tuesday evening.
However, when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons.
He said the security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter, adding one militant was killed in the exchange of fire. “One more militant was killed in the overnight gunfight,” he said, adding that bodies of both the ultras were recovered.
A police official confirmed the death of a third militant in the gunfight.
Sources said a jawan and a civilian were also injured in the encounter. “The operation was still going on when the reports last came in,” they added. (AGENCIES)
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