Kulgam and Shopian encounters: Major, Jawan and 2 militants killed

SRINAGAR: Two army men, including a Major, and two militants were killed in two separate encounters in Kulgam and Shopian districts of south Kashmir on Thursday.

Acting on a tipoff, security forces, including Indian Army’s 62 RR, CRPF and special operation group of J&K Police, launched a cordon and search operation in Shopian’s Zaripora village at around 2:30 am and came under heavy fire from militants.

“Two army men, including an officer, were injured in initial heavy fire and later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Taking advantage of the darkness, 2-3 militants managed to escape from the spot,” SSP of Shopian district, AS Dinkar, told ET.


A Srinagar-based defence spokesman said the two were identified as Major Kamlesh Pandey and Sepoy Tanzin Chhultim. J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti and deputy CM Nirmal Singh paid homage to the two at a ceremony in Badami Bagh cantonment area.

In a separate incident in Gopal Pora area of Kulgam, J&K Police, 9 RR, 62 RR and 18 Bn of CRPF killed two Hizbul militants identified as Aaqib Ahmad Itoo and Suhail Rather,