Shopian encounter: 2 soldiers killed, 3 others wounded, militants holed up

Two soldiers were killed and three others injured in the ongoing fierce encounter in south Kashmir's Shopian district, where a group of militants remained holed up since last night.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman denied rumours that any mosque was damaged in the encounter which ensued after security forces launched search operation in village Awneera in Shopian district of south Kashmir last night, following a tip off about the presence of militants.

A militant was also reportedly killed in the encounter, official sources said, adding that so far body has not been recovered. However, defence ministry spokesman was not available.

Sources said Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint operation in the village following tip off about the presence of a group of two to three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) last night.

However, immediately after the search operation was launched, locals hit the streets and clashed with the security forces to disrupt the operation.

They said when the security forces were moving towards particular area in the Asthan Mohalla in the village, the militants resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. The fire was returned and in the initial gun battle, five soldiers, including an officer, were injured. Two of the injured succumbed before reaching to hospital, they said, adding that other injured have been hospitalised.

Additional security forces were rushed to the area and entire area was sealed to prevent militants to escape from the cordoned off area.

With the first light this morning, security forces resumed search operation in the area, they said, adding that details are awaited.