Kulgam encounter: Militants flee, leave machine gun behind

Srinagar: After a brief exchange of fire with security forces, the militants in Nandimarg area of Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district are believed to have managed to slip away, leaving behind a Pika LMG gun and some IED material.
Officials said there was no firing after the initial exchange at around 1:30 am.
However, they said that search operation is underway in the area to trace the militants.
The gunfight broke out between forces and militants, after a joint team of forces including 9 RR and Kulgam Police launched search operation in the area.
Officials said that as forces intensified search operation towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon forces, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.
However, after initial exchange of fire, militants have either escaped or are hiding in nearby houses, they said.
At the suspected spot, a Pika LMG gun besides some ammunition used for making IED has been recovered and search is underway in the area, they added.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam, Gurinder Pal also confirmed that a Pika gun besides some material has been recovered from the gunfight spot. (KNO)