In an unrelenting cycle of violence in Kashmir, a major gunbattle erupted, third in the last three days, in north Kashmir’s Handwara area on Saturday. Two militants were killed in the ongoing encounter between the hiding militants and security forces.
The exchange of gunfire started when a joint operation to flush out militants was started in Shah Nagri village in Handwara in the afternoon. The village was cordoned off after a tip-off about the presence of militants.
“The army’s 30 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) Handwara were working on specific information about the presence of militants in the area. When the security forces cordoned off Shah Nagri village, they came under heavy firing from militants,” said Superintendent of Police (SP), Handwara, Muhammad Rafiq Wakil.
The police claim two militants were killed in the Handwara encounter till last reports came in. Intermittent gunfire was being exchanged between the militants and the security forces till sundown.
“We suspect the militants were hiding in houses. This is residential area and we will go slow with the operation,” said a police officer pleading anonymity.
Eight militants, two four soldiers have died in there separate operation in north Kashmir in the last three days.
{{/usCountry}}Eight militants, two four soldiers have died in there separate operation in north Kashmir in the last three days.
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