Kashmir gunbattle enters 4th day, jawan killed

SRINAGAR: The fierce gunbattle between militants and security forces in north Kashmir's Kupwara district entered its fourth day today even as an army jawan injured in the operation succumbed to injuries.

The jawan died last night, officials said. A total of nine persons including five militants, an Army officer, a jawan and two policemen have been killed in the gunfight in Shamsabari forests, they said.

The encounter broke out at Awathkul forest area of Kralipora, 130 kms from here, on Monday when police assisted by Army launched a search operation following information about presence of heavily-armed militants.

Army sources believe the militants were six to seven in number and were part of the LeT group which had recently infiltrated from the Keran sector.