SP, 4 soldiers injured in encounter with terrorists in South Kashmir’s Kulgam

Four soldiers and a SP rank police officer were injured in an encounter between terrorists and security forces in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday.

A senior police officer in the Valley told The Tribune that the operation is underway.

“Four soldiers and one police officer have been injured. They are all stable,” he said.

The injured have been identified as Kulgam Additional Superintendent of Police Mumtaz Ali Bhatti, sepoy Mohan Sharma, sepoy Sohan Kumar, sepoy Yoginder and sepoy Mohammad Isran of the Rashtriya Rifles.

Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Operation was launched by Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police at Arigam in Kulgam. “During search terrorists fired indiscriminately and a firefight ensued,” the police said.

Police sources said atleast two militants are believed to be trapped and an operation is underway.

While this operation is underway in Kashmir region, in the recent past, foriegn militants have carried out high profile attacks in the hilly districts of Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi of Jammu division during the last three to four months.

After carrying out ambushes against the Army and others in the hilly areas, the terrorists would escape into the densely foliaged and forested regions of these hilly districts.

Over 4,000 soldiers drawn from the elite Para Commandos and those trained in mountain warfare were deployed in the high ranges and densely forested areas of the Jammu division.

The security forces recently have been able to establish contact (engage terrorists in gunfights) in these areas.