SRINAGAR, Sept 25: A soldier and an unidentified militant have been killed in a fierce gunbattle in frontier district of Kupwara, the second clash between rebels and troops in past five days, police say.
The lastest armed encounter broke-out late at Arihal Manzpora village in Handwara area when security forces laid siege to the area after a tip-off.
“Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with Handwara police and 30 RR in Handwara. An Army Jawan also lost his life in the encounter.d,” a police spokesman said.
He said the firing has stopped and a combing operation is in process.
This is the second gunfight since last Friday in the frontier area of this Himalayan region where militancy-related violence is largely declining. On Sept 25, a militant was gilled in a gunfight with security forces at Babagail village in Baramulla district in northern Kashmir.
Security forces are grappling with such gunfights which have surged over recent months.
However, recently police contested the army’s claims that a large number of militants had crossed over from the other side of the Line of Control, which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
