Srinagar: Security forces shot dead an unidentified militant in an ongoing encounter in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest on the outskirts of Srinagar, officials said here on Tuesday.
They said the gunbattle erupted Monday evening when joint teams of Police and Army launched a cordon and a search operation (CASO) in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest following a specific intelligence input about militant presence in the area.
During the search operation, a contact with the hiding militants was established last evening triggering a gunbattle.
“A terrorist has been killed in the gunbattle so far,” a police officer said, adding the operation is still underway.
The identity and the group affiliation of the slain could not be ascertained immediately.
Earlier on Tuesday, Army’s Srinagar based Chinar Corps said the operation in the forest area is in progress.
“On 02 Dec 2024, based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice at upper reaches Dachhigam Forest, Srinagar. During search initial contact was established. Operation is in progress,” Army said in a post on X.
This is the second gunbattle on the outskirts of Srinagar in just over three weeks.
On November 10, a brief gunfight occurred in the forest area of Dachigam. However, the militants managed to escape, taking advantage of the dense forest cover. The search operation was subsequently called off.
Dachigam forest is located close to Srinagar and connects further to south Kashmir and Central Kashmir areas.
