The gunfight started on the wee hours of Tuesday when troops deployed on the Line of Control noticed suspicious movement at Katwara forest area near Jet Gali in Machil sector.
For the last 24 hours, Indian Army is battling a group of heavily-armed infiltrators on the Line of Control (LoC) that has so far left one soldier and one militant dead besides injuring four troopers in Machil sector of North Kashmir.
The gunfight started on the wee hours of Tuesday when troops deployed on the Line of Control noticed suspicious movement at Katwara forest area near Jet Gali in Machil sector.
Troops immediately took positions and challenged the ultras who, in turn, opened heavy fire causing injuries to two soldiers initially. Troops later engaged the ultras and in the ensued gunfight three more soldiers were injured.
One of the soldiers later succumbed to his injuries.
The slain has been identified as signalman Ajay Singh of Dhiger village in Jhunjunu district of Rajasthan. The 24 year old soldier was serving the army for the last six years. He is survived by his wife Meena.
"We have killed one militant so far. One weapon and some war like stories were recovered from his possession", said Colonel NN Joshi, defence spokesman at Srinagar.
Indian army troops have rushed in reinforcements and sealed all entry and exit points to prevent the militants from escaping from the area.
"Operation is still on in the area. The number of militants will only be known after the operation is over. Since morning there is no gun fight", said Colonel Joshi.
The fresh infiltration bid came on the day when Indian army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag arrived here to review the overall security in Kashmir. Later General Singh met J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti who stressed for maintaining greater vigil along the borders to prevent infiltration.
Mehbooba called for minimising the visibility of the troops from the civilian areas and tourist places in the state. "The troops should ensure that no civilian is harmed and there is minimum damage to civilian properties during encounters with the militants. While the Army is competent enough to deal with the situation along the borders, for internal security, police and paramilitary forces should shoulder the greater responsibilities," she said.
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