3 militants killed, Major, jawan injured in Baramulla encounter

Three unidentified militants were killed and an Army officer and a jawan were injured in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in this north Kashmir district on Friday, a police spokesman said tonight.

Giving details about the encounter, he said following specific information about the presence of militants, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir and CRPF launched a joint CASO at Yedipora, Pattan, in Baramulla in the wee hours of Friday. “All exit points were sealed and additional security forces were deployed in the adjoining areas to prevent any militant attempt to escape under the cover of darkness,” he said.

With the first light at 0600, security forces launched house-to-house searches, they said, adding when the search party was moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding in a house opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.

Security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said, adding in the initial firing by militants a Major and a police jawan were injured.

The Major identified as Rohit Mehra of 29 RR was later shifted to Military hospital, he said.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia told UNI that the health condition of the injured officer is stated to be stable.

A resident said this morning security forces and police asked all residents in the nearby houses to leave for safer places.

Immediately after the resident left for safer places, exchange of fire again started after security forces moved ahead, he said, adding security forces have taken position in all surrounding houses.

Three militants were killed in the exchange of fire, they said, adding the bodies of the slain militants have not yet been recovered.

The operation was going on when the reports last came in, he said, adding additional security forces and police personnel have been deployed in the nearby areas to prevent any law and order problem.