Two Soldiers Killed, Four Others Injured In Encounter With Militants In Anantnag

SRINAGAR: Two Army personnel died while four others were injured during a fierce gunfight with militants in a forest in Anantnag district of South Kashmir on Saturday, officials said.

The conflict occurred during a cordon and search operation that was initiated by the security forces based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of militants in the remote Ahlan Gagarmandu forest.

Two civilians were also injured in the crossfire, officials said.

According to them, the skirmish began when a group of militants opened fire at the joint search parties comprising Army troopers, including para commandos, and local police.

In the ensuing gun battle, six Army personnel and two civilians were injured, officials said, adding the injured soldiers were promptly taken to a nearby hospital where two died shortly after arrival.

The remaining injured personnel and civilians are receiving medical attention, they said.

Reinforcements have been deployed in the area and operations to locate and neutralise the fleeing militants are underway, the latest officials said.

It is believed that the militants involved in the recent Anantnag incident may have crossed over from Kishtwar district after escaping the confrontation in Doda.

The Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps confirmed the operation on social media platform X, stating, “Based on specific intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF in the general area of Kokernag, Anantnag. Contact was established and a firefight ensued.”

The Army also reported the injuries to the civilians, condemning the “indiscriminate, desperate, and reckless” firing by the terrorists during the ongoing operation. The injured civilians have received immediate medical aid and have been evacuated for further treatment, it said. (PTI)