Srinagar (J&K): Six militants and an army soldier were killed in two separate gunfights in south Kashmir districts of Kulgam and Anantnag since Wednesday evening.
The two gunfights broke out after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kulgam's Mirhama and Anantnag's Dooru Shahbad area based on "specific inputs".
Calling it a "big success", Vijay Kumar Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Kashmir said that three JeM militants were killed in Kulgam encounter of which one was a Pakistani and two were local militants.
"There is no collateral damage reported. The team has also recovered two AK47 and one M4 rifle," Kumar said.
In the Anantnag encounter, he said, one militant was killed in the initial firing at night and two were killed early Thursday morning.
"Three Army jawans and one Jammu and Kashmir Police jawan got injured. Later, an Army jawan succumbed to his injuries while the rest are stable," the IGP said.
Jammu and Kashmir police tweeted confirming the killings and said that four of the six killed so far have been identified.
"Four among the killed terrorists have been identified so far. Two are Pakistani and two local terrorists. Identification of the other two terrorists is being ascertained. A big success for us," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted quoting the IGP.
Giving details about the two gunfights, a senior police officer said, "Yesterday (Wednesday) evening, the first gunfight started at Nowgam village in Dooru Shahbad area. During the initial exchange of fire, a Jammu and Kashmir police personnel and two soldiers of 19 RR received injuries who were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, during the ensuing gunfight three militants, including a Pakistani, were killed."
"Soon after the Anantnag gunfight, another operation was launched at Mirhama (Kulgam) where three militants, including a Pakistani, were killed," the official said, adding, "M4, AK 47 rifles and other arms and ammunition have been recovered from gunfight spots."
There has been a spike in militant encounters in the valley in the last week. On December 25, the southern districts of Shopian and Anantnag had witnessed two encounters in which police claimed killing four militants including an IED expert.
Read: Hyderpora encounter was 'botched up', SIT 'a charade': Mehbooba Mufti
