2 jawans, militants killed in Kashmir in separate incidents

SRINAGAR: Two soldiers were killed and two militants were shot dead in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said Friday. Since Sunday, the number of deaths, including those of civilians, have gone up to 23 in the state, the official added.

Defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the two militants were killed and a soldier lost his life on Friday morning during a gun battle at Malganipora, Behrampora on the outskirts of the Sopore town. He identified the soldier as lance naik Brajesh Kumar of 22 Rashtriya Rifles.

“The bodies of the militants were handed over to the police for identification,’’ he said.

An official said Army and state police established a cordon around the village after receiving inputs on the presence of militants in village. He said the operation turned into encounter, during which two unidentified militants and a soldier were killed.

Kalia said another soldier lost his life in south Kashmir’s Tral area late on Thursday. “A soldier was killed and another injured in a attack by militants on an army camp at Lurgam Tral late on Thursday. The soldier was identified as sepoy Ngamsiamliana from Mizoram who had joined the army five years ago,’’ he said.

Minajul Mohidin of Brathkalan in Sopore. A police spokesperson said both the militants were responsible for several attacks in Sopore and Sangrama.

A shutdown was observed in Baramulla and Sopore against the militants’ killings. Police also identified all four militants killed in Arwani on Thursday as locals. Sahir Makroo, Owais Ahmad Lone, Muzamil Magray and Amir Tantray were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, they added. Clashes erupted near the encounter site Friday and police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.