Security forces engage in gunfight in north Kashmir

Security forces today engaged in a gunfight with the separatist guerrillas in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said.

Security forces on Saturday engaged in a gunfight with the separatist guerrillas in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said.

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On specific information, troops of 21 counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles and state police surrounded the Bawan forest in Zachaldara (Handwara) area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

"As the surrounding troops tightened the cordon, they came under heavy automatic gunfire from the hiding militants, triggering a gunfight," said a senior police officer.

The gunfight is still on, added the officer.

It could not be verified whether the hiding guerrillas had recently infiltrated into the Valley from across the line of control (LOC) or had been part of an already existing group.