Militant, soldier killed in 2 operations in Kashmir

Stepping up their winter offensive, security forces launched two major operations against militants and purged their capabilities in the troubled south Kashmir region.

An army soldier and a militant were killed while a cop suffered injuries in one of the operations at Nowbug Kund village in South Kashmir's Kulgam. In another operation, security forces busted a hideout at Laam area in Burhan Wani's home town of Tral in Pulwama district.

This was the third operation against militants in less than 12 hours in the valley. On Monday evening, security forces achieved major success when they repulsed the militant attack killing two Hizbul Mujhadeen ultras near a check point at Sultanpora Crossing in Zachaldara area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir.

Police said the first encounter started at Nowbug Kund village of South Kashmir's Kulgam district when a joint team of army, police and the CRPF cordoned off the area after specific inputs on the presence of militants on Tuesday morning.

When security forces were busy strengthening the cordon, the militants in the area fired on troops triggering a gun fight. A soldier was killed in the line of duty while a cop suffered gunshot wounds. Later, security forces mounted an offensive killing one of the militants.

"A solider died and a policeman was injured but is stable now. A terrorist was killed, whose identity is yet to be ascertained", tweeted SP Pani, deputy inspector-general of police, South Kashmir Range.

The slain militant was identified as Muzamil Ahmad of Badroo Yaripora in Kulgam district. An engineering pass out, Ahmad had been active as a militant for quite some time in the south Kashmir region.

Security forces busted a hideout after they launched a joint operation in Laam area of Tral after receiving a tip off about the presence of militants. "Jaish-e-Mohommad (JeM) hideout busted in Tral. Search continues", said the deputy inspector general of police, South Kashmir Range.

Official figures reveal that more than 180 militants have been killed by the security forces in different encounters across Kashmir this year so far.

Sources said around 70 security force men too have lost their lives in the line of duty this year

Lives lost this yr

Official figures reveal that more than 180 militants have been killed by the security forces in different encounters across Kashmir this year. 70 new ultras have been able to infiltrate Kashmir.
Around 70  security force men too have lost their lives in the line of duty.