Five security personnel martyred in encounter in J&K’S Kupwara

SRINAGAR: Three army jawans and two policemen were killed in an ongoing encounter with militants in Kupwara’s Halmatpora in Jammu & Kashmir on Wednesday. The search operation is still underway. A total of five militants have been killed in the encounter that has been going on since Tuesday.

A policeman was also injured in the gunfight. The wounded personnel is undergoing treatment at a hospital. His condition is stated to be stable, a police spokesperson said.

An encounter broke out in the Arampora area of the district on Tuesday after security forces launched an operation in the wake of militants opening fire at an Army patrol party. The spokesperson said the anti-militancy operation, which continued overnight, was going on when reports last came in. Four unidentified militants were killed in operation on Tuesday.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti paid rich tributes to the four security forces’ personnel killed in the fierce gunbattle. She also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families of the deceased and prayed for peace to the departed souls.

The encounter site is around 8 km from Kupwara town and Halmathpora is the last village before the LOC, which is 20-25 km away from the spot. Officials said it was possible that these militants sneaked into the Valley recently and were waiting for an opportunity to cross into Lolab or Vilgam areas of Kupwara district.