Kupwara Gunfight: 3 More Soldiers Succumb, Toll Mounts To 13

Srinagar: Three more soldiers, who were injured in a gunfight with militants in Kupwara woods, have succumbed to their wounds, talking the number of army personnel killed in the operation to eight including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). Besides the soldiers, five militants were also killed in the gunfight which sporadically continued for several days reaching the peak on Sunday.

Official sources said that while one soldier died on the spot, a number of others were injured in the fierce gunbattle in the woods. Four of the injured personnel including a JCO from elite para force succumbed to injuries on Sunday while three others lost the battle for life at the army’s health facility today. Some other soldiers who were injured during the operation are being treated upon in the military hospital, they said.

On 4th day of the operation on Saturday evening, the army had rushed elite 4-para troopers to Rangdoori, Guguldara and Teen Behak area of Jumgund.

The operation was launched initially by army’s 8 JAT after intercepting movement of a group of militants on Wednesday.

Besides, they said, the searches continued along Awaoora, Kumkadi, Zurhuma, Safawali, Batpora, Haihama areas by the joint team of army’s 41 RR, 57 RR, 160 TA and SOG Kupwara.

GNS