Two militants, soldier killed in Bandipora encounter

Srinagar, Jun 14: Two militants and an army soldier were killed in an ongoing operation launched by the government forces in a forest area in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday.
Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said that two militants and a solider were killed in the operation going on Raynar forest area of the district since past six days.
He said the bodies of the slain militants were recovered along with as many AK rifles and other arms and ammunition.
Their identities and group affiliation are being ascertained, said an official.
He said an army soldier sustained serious bullet wounds during the fresh gunfight early morning. “The injured soldier was immediately evacuated to military hospital where he succumbed,” said the official.
The operation was launched last week after militants attacked an army patrolling party in Raynar forests adjacent to Panar area. Two soldiers had sustained during a brief gunfight on the weekend.
A massive search operation was soon launched in the area by the army, which entered sixth day today.
A group of over a dozen militants reportedly infiltrated near Bagtore area of Gurez and reached Chandaji. The group, according to reports, travelled to Panar through Bonkoot and upon reaching Raynar they came in contact with the troopers, who had laid an ambush.
Reports said that two militants are still hiding in the forest area while the rest have managed to escape. “Operation is still going on to trace out the other hiding militants,” said an army statement.