4 armed forces personnel, 2 militants killed in Machil gunfight

Kupwara: An army officer and two other soldiers besides one more militant were killed in the ongoing gunfight along the Line of Control in Machil area of Kupwara district, official sources said on Sunday.

The death toll has so far reached six in the fierce gun battle as a militant and a BSF trooper were killed earlier.

“During search operation, one more militant was neutralized while in the process one officer identified as Lt. Aujla and 2 soldier of army were killed and one soldier got seriously injured,” sources said.

“The searches for 3rd militant are under progress,” they added.

The gunfight had ensued early Sunday morning when Border Security Forces intercepted a group of infiltrators in Machil area.

A militant and a BSF soldier from 169 battalion, Constable Sarkar, were killed, Deputy Inspector General of BSF R Muthu Krishnan said. Later, he said, army joined the operation.

When contacted, army’s Srinagar based spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said that while a militant was killed in the initial shoot out, further details are awaited.

“The details will be shared as officially received,” he said. (GNS)