Commanding Officer Among Six Soldiers Injured In Ongoing Bandipora Operation

Srinagar, Jun 17: A senior army officer among six soldiers injured in an encounter at Panar forest area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, official sources said on Sunday.

They said that army’s 14 RR Commanding Officer (CO) and five other soldiers suffered injuries due to bullets and splinters in the forest area last evening.

A senior police officer while confirming the incident told GNS that all the injured were evacuated to army’s 92 base hospital, Badmibagh, Srinagar for treatment.

The initial gunfight broke out on June 9 when army’s 14 RR intercepted the group of militants at Raynar forests adjacent to Panar, the officer said.

On June 14, Two militants and an army soldier were killed in the operation.

“The operation was launched on June 9 when the militants and the government forces exchanged brief gunfight in Raynar forests adjacent to Panar area. The operation with the help of additional reinforcements of army’s Para Commandos continued and entered on ninth straight day today,” the officer said.

He said that during the period the joint team of forces and militants exchanged intermittent firing several times.

“Operation is still going on to trace out the hiding militants,” the officer added.(GNS)