Three militants killed in Pattan encounter
Army Major, two cops sustain injuries
Srinagar: Three unidentified militants were killed and as many security personnel, including an Army officer, injured in an encounter in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Yedipora in the Pattan area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir following specific information about the presence of militants, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired on a search party of the forces, who retaliated.
In the initial exchange of fire, the Army officer suffered injuries, the official said.
The injured officer was taken to the 92 Base Hospital here for treatment, he said.
A defence spokesman said that three militants were killed in the operation.
He said the Army officer, who suffered injuries, was undergoing treatment and his condition was stable.
As the gunfight raged, two special police officers (SPOs) also suffered injuries, the police official said.
The injured SPOs were taken to a local hospital for treatment, he added.
A police spokesman said during the cordon and search operation as the presence of hiding militants got ascertained, they were given the opportunity to surrender.
“However, they refused to surrender and instead held two families comprising of 12 members including children hostage. It was therefore after strenuous efforts of joint forces that all the family members were rescued and evacuated,” he said.
Meanwhile, a gunfight broke out in the Babhaar area of Pulwama district after militants opened fire on security forces from an orchard, the official said.
Exchange of fire is going on between the two sides but there are no reports of any casualties so far, he said.
Meanwhile, security forces busted three militant hideouts in the forest area of Tral in Pulwama district.
“Based on specific information regarding the presence of militants of proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Buchoo – Kamla forests of Tral area, police along with Army launched a search operation in the area,” a police spokesman said.
He said during the operation, three hideouts of proscribed outfit JeM were busted and subsequently destroyed.
“The joint team was able to recover incriminating material including IED material from the hideouts. The incriminating material has been taken into police custody for the purpose of investigation, the spokesman said. (PTI)
Press Trust of India
