Srinagar: An unidentified militant has been killed and a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of Army was injured during an ongoing operation in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said on Wednesday.
The gun battle erupted in the Trumkhan forests of frontier Kupwara on Tuesday when teams of security forces were carrying out a search operation following an input about the presence of militants.
Army said suspicious movement was observed, following which they were challenged by vigilant troops, leading to an encounter.
They said in the ensuing gun battle, one terrorist had been eliminated and a NCO had been injured.
“Based on specific input regarding presence of terrorists in general area Kowut, Kupwara, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice on days leading upto 23 July 24. On 24 July, suspicious movement was observed and challenged by vigilant troops, in response to which terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. In the ensuing firefight, one terrorist has been eliminated and a NCO injured. Operation is in progress,” Army Srinagar based Chinar Corps said in a post on X.
J&K Police said on Tuesday evening that security forces have established contact with terrorists near Trimukha Top, Lolab, Kupwara and that the operation is in progress.
The gun battle in Kupwara is taking place at a time when there has been a spurt in militant attacks in the Jammu region.
On Tuesday, a soldier was killed in a gunfight with militants in the Poonch district of Jammu on the Line of Control in Poonch while foiling an infiltration bid.
Since June 20, the day Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister for the third term, 11 security men and nine pilgrims have been killed in the Jammu region in separate attacks.