Army man killed in gun battle with militants in Baramulla district of Kashmir

SRINAGAR: An army personnel was killed in an encounter with militants in Baramulla district of north Kashmir today, police said.

The encounter began in Rafiabad area of the district after security forces, on specific information about the presence of militants, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation at 7 am.

The police official said as the security forces were conducting search, militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

"An army soldier was killed during the operation," the official said.

The official said according to intelligence reports, two militants belonging to Lashker-e-Islam (LeI) are believed to be holed up at the encounter site.

One of the holed up militants is believed to be Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, a close aide of Qayoom Najar.

Both Najar and Kandoo are believed to have defied the command of Hizbul Mujahideen supremo Syed Salahuddin and have been operating under the shadow name of LeI outfit.

Both the militants carry a bounty of Rs 10 lakh each on their heads.

They are accused of killing six persons, including separatist activists and former militants in Sopore town.

He said that the encounter was continuing till last reports came in and that further details of the operation were awaited.