JK: 7 terrorists, army trooper killed in encounters

Seven terrorists and an army trooper were killed in two separate anti-militancy operations in Kashmir Valley on Monday.

Four terrorists and an army trooper were killed as troops foiled an infiltration bid near the Line of Control in Gurez sector of north Kashmir Bandipora district, official sources said.

Army had launched an operation on Sunday in Baktoor area of Gurez sector near the LoC, around 140 km from Srinagar, following information about a group of militants trying to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the sources said.

They said the soldiers asked the militants to surrender but the ultras opened firing, resulting in injuries to two troopers.

One of the troopers, havaldar Jung Bahadur Thapa, succumbed to injuries. The troops returned the fire, triggering an encounter in which four unidentified terrorists have been killed so far, the sources added.

Defence spokesman Lt Col J S Brar said the operation was still on.

In another encounter, three terrorists were killed in Hafruda forest in Vilgam area of Kupwara district of North Kashmir.

The encounter started on Sunday evening when army launched a combing operation in the forest in Handwara, 80 km from Srinagar, Brar said.

He said the terrorists opened fire on the search party, drawing retaliation by the army.

In the exchange of fire on Monday morning, three terrorists were killed, the spokesman said.