4 militants, cop, soldier killed in Tral encounter

Srinagar, Apr 24: Four militants, a soldier and a policeman were killed in an encounter at Tral forest area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday.
Official sources said that the joint team of forces along with the additional reinforcement intercepted the militant group at the upper side of the Goiytengo forests who earlier fled after a brief exchange of gunfire.
In the exchange of firing two army men and one SOG personal identified as Latif Gojri also sustained serious bullet wounds. The critically injured Latif later succumbed.
A soldier Ajay Kumar of 42 RR who was injured in the initial exchange of gunfire succumbed to injuries at 92 base hospital here in Srinagar.
Four militants were killed in the operation at Goiytengo forests in Laam area, a top police officer said.
He said that all the bodies of the militants have been recovered along with as many AK-rifles.
“Apparently it looks like the slain militants are foreigners and belonged to the Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit,” the officer said, adding “they are still ascertaining their identity”.
The gunfight broke out in the area after the joint team of army’s 42 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti later paid tributes to the two slain forces personnel.
The Chief Minister extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the slain. She also conveyed her sympathies to the personnel who were injured in the incident.