Srinagar : Three Army personnel were killed in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Friday, officials said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the higher reaches of the Halan forest area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir following inputs about the presence of militants there, a police official said.
The search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired at the security forces, who retaliated. In the exchange of fire, three security forces personnel were injured, the official said, adding, they succumbed during treatment. The search is going on in Kulgam to nab the terrorists involved in the latest killing of three jawans. Today's gunfight began after the terrorists fired upon the security forces who erected a tent in the area as part of an area domination exercise. The terrorists had decamped with some weapons, the officials said.
A group of three terrorists is believed to have taken part in today's encounter. They recently infiltrated through the Pir Panjal range, officials said. Additional troops have been rushed to the area and the search has been intensified. Also, after a blast-like sound was heard, another search operation was launched in the Kund area of the Kulgam district, officials said.
"Operation Halan #Kulgam. On specific inputs regarding presence of terrorists on higher reaches of Halan in Kulgam, operations launched by Security Forces on 04 Aug 23. In exchange of firing with terrorists, three personnel sustained injuries and later succumbed. Search operations are continuing," Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army said in a tweet. The official said reinforcement has been rushed to the area and the search operation has been intensified.
Also Read : J-K: 2 militants killed; encounters underway in Baramulla, Rajouri
Earlier in May this year, in a fierce encounter, a militant was killed in Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir. The exchange of fire broke out between the armed militants and the jawans in Rajouri's Kandi forest during a nocturnal cordon and search operation. (with agency inputs)
