Army soldier, 6 terrorists killed in Shopian encounter

Representational image. (Photo: IANS)


In another major success within two days, six terrorists were on Sunday morning killed in an encounter with security forces at Batagund in Shopian district of South Kashmir. But the Army lost a soldier in the operation. A second soldier was injured during the encounter.

The martyred soldier was a local Kashmiri who has been identified as Nazir Ahmad of 162 battalion of Territorial Army. He belonged to Kulgam in South Kashmir.

Army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that bodies of 6 terrorists have been recovered and warlike cache of arms and ammunition have recovered from the encounter spot.

The security forces had on 23 November also killed 6 terrorists of whom 3 were top commanders of Hizbul Mujahedeen (HM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Today’s encounter broke out in the wee hours when a joint team of army’s 34RR, CRPF and SOG launched a cordon and search operation in Batagund following credible reports of presence of terrorists.

Reports said that six bodies of terrorists have been recovered.

Identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained.

It is worth mentioning that 44 terrorists of various outfits have been killed in Shopian during the current year.

Meanwhile, a youth received bullet injury in crossfire as a mob reached the encounter spot and pelted stones at the security forces.