Srinagar, October 3
In an encounter lasting over 36 hours in Tangmarg, 40 km from here in Baramula border district, the Army killed nine militants but lost two officers, besides some receiving injuries.
The encounter, which started yesterday, when soldiers of 34 Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off a village on a tip-off on the presence of militants, suspected to be of the Al-Badr ended this afternoon.
Major K.P. Vinay was killed yesterday when the holed-up militants fired at advancing troops, and another officer, Major D. Raghuraman, succumbed to his injuries later, official sources said. Four soldiers and a civilian were also wounded in the operation, an Army spokesman said. Huge haul of ammunition has also been recovered from the militants.
After suffering some losses, the Army said its men led by Brig Kuldip Singh regrouped and led a tight cordon amidst illumination in the night to repulse efforts of the militants to break free. "We are searching the area and have recovered nine bodies of militants," the Army said.
Encounters of this type have been rare in Kashmir and last such fierce battle between security forces and militants had occurred in August, also in Baramula, when the Army had killed eight militants, including some foreigners, and had lost a Colonel and a soldier.
