India Kashmir – Srinagar, May 7: Five militants and two Indian army soldiers were killed in an overnight fierce gunfight in Indian Kashmir.
Indian Paramilitary soldier on watch - Photo by : AP/Mukhtar Khan
“Indian army’s counter insurgency `32 Rashtria Rifles` and police had laid siege around the dense forest area in Hapatnar, Sheikhpora, Rafiabad some 80 kms north of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir on Thursday afternoon. We had got credible intelligence inputs that a group of 4-5 militants were hiding in area,” a senior police officer said.
He said the militants fired from AK-47 rifles towards the soldiers. “The fire was returned by the soldiers, triggering an encounter. The fierce exchange of fire between the two sides continued till the wee hours today. At least five militants and two Indian army soldiers were killed in the firefight,” he said.
The official said the identity of the slain militants and the outfit to which they owe allegiance was being ascertained. “Most probably they are Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba,” he said.
An army official said the search and combing operation in the area is going on. “The soldiers are searching whether any militant managed to escape during the course of gunfight,” he said.
Indian army spokesman in Srinagar, Lt Col J S Brar has confirmed the killing of five militants and two soldiers in the gunfight. “The encounter, which continued throughout the night, has ended now,” he said.
The encounter took place two days after a senior Indian army officer and his colleague were killed in an ambush by militants in North Kashmir’s Chattibandi, Bandipora.
According to security officials, North Kashmir is very active on the militancy front. Some fierce gunfights have taken place in North Kashmir in recent past during which both Indian soldiers and militants have suffered casualties.
