Srinagar, Nov 14 : A local militant and a trooper have been killed in fierce day long gunfight in Qazigund area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir on Tuesday.
A police official told news agency GNS that acting on specific information, SOG Kulgam and 9RR of Army cordoned off Nowbug Kund village of Qazigund in Kulgam in morning hours. He said searches were intensified towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces triggering off an encounter.
The exchange gunfire continued throughout the day between the two sides. In the gunfire exchange, a local militant identified as Muzamil Ahmad of Badroo Yaripora, Kulgam was killed. An army soldier was also killed in the fierce encounter. Two more government forces personnel were injured in the encounter. Reports said the slain militant was an engineering graduate and active since last three years.
Official sources said the search operation in the area is still on as forces suspect presence of more militants. The body of the militant has been taken to Kulgam for further formalities and would be then handed over to his family, the sources said.
Meanwhile, government forces claimed to have busted a hideout of militants in Lam forest area of Tral in Pulwama district. An official said the hideout was busted after exchange of gunfire between militants and government forces today morning. Reports said the militants present in the woods managed to escape forces cordon. A search operation was going on in the area throughout the day. (GNS)