Two unidentified militants have been killed in hours-long encounter at Bounigam village of Qazigund in Kulgam district of south Kashmir which had raged after an attack on army convoy earlier in the day in which two army men were injured and one of whom has succumbed this evening.
Official sources told that a group of militants opened indiscriminate fire upon army's patrolling party in Bounigam in Qazigund, leaving three soldiers injured. The injured soldiers were shifted to 92 Base Hospital Badami Bagh here. Soon after the attack, army along with additional reinforcement launched a cordon and search operation to nab the assailants.
Sources said the militants had fled away from the scene and taken shelter inside a building. As the joint team of forces intensified the searches to trace out the hiding attackers, the hiding militants fired upon government forces, triggering an encounter. The firing between the two sides continued throughout the day and according to sources, bodies of two unidentified militants have been recovered from the building debris which was blasted by the troops.
An injured soldier belonging to 10 SIKH LI meanwhile succumbed to his injuries at Base Hospital today evening. An official identified the slain as Sepoy Jitender Singh who was hurt in militant attack on army patrol. Army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia confirmed the killing of the soldier and two militants.
A civilian identified as 23 year old Suhail Ahmad Khan, son of Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, resident of Nessu Badragund was injured in forces firing. His condition is however stated to be stable. A senior police officer said that the operation at Qazigund is in last phase and also confirmed the injuries to the civilian. “The operation is almost over,” he said.