Encounters have increased in Jammu and Kashmir: Manohar Parikkar

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today sought to downplay the recent spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, saying "encounters" have increased in that state and not the attacks by militants.

"There is an increase in encounters," he said when asked about the spurt in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

Eight CRPF personnel were killed and 21 injured when militants ambushed a CRPF convoy in Pampore in Kashmir on June 25. Two terrorists were also killed by security forces.

Parrikar had termed the killing of CRPF personnel at Pampore as an act of "frustration" on the part of Pakistani terrorists, several of whom were killed by Indian forces in the past one year.

Yesterday, an unidentified militant was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Lolab area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Downplaying the recent spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said "encounters" have increased and not attacks by the militants.