3 militants killed ,one soldier martyred in Kupwara

2 soldiers injured; Handwara militants appear to be foreigners, says IGP

Three militants killed and a soldier martyred  in two separate encounters in Kupwara district on Tuesday, the police said.

Two soldiers were also injured in the second encounter that started at Zarhama area.

A police official said that following a tip off about the presence of three militants in Magam, Handwara, the police, soldiers and paramilitary troopers cordoned the area off.

“The militants were hiding in a house. They were asked to surrender but they refused and instead opened fire triggering an encounter in which they were killed,” the official said.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that it was not clear whether the group had infiltrated recently or had been hiding in the area for long.

“Three AK-47 rifles besides supplies were recovered from the site of the encounter,” he said.

Kashmir range inspector general of police Muneer Ahmed Khan said that “it seems” the deceased militants are foreigners.

“We are investigating and corroborating the evidence recovered from the site of encounter,” he said.

The search operation was on when this report was filed.

During the second encounter in Zarhama area of Kupwara district, a soldier was martyred and two others were injured.

“There is a heavy exchange of firing going on. Forces are on job,” the IGP said.  A source said that two to three militants are believed to be trapped inside a house.

The police, army and the CRPF have killed 190 militants this year in various encounters, 66 of whom were non-local militants who were killed along the LoC while trying to sneak into Kashmir.

According to top officials of the security grid, successful anti-militancy operations have helped bring situation in Kashmir under control.