The bodies of two militants were recovered following an encounter in Pinglana area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday, a Central Reserve Police Force spokesperson said. Their identities have not yet been ascertained.
The militants are believed to be members of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the extremist group that was involved in the terror attack on a CRPF convoy on February 14. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in the attack.
“The terrorists are believed to be linked to the February 14 car bombing,” PTI quoted an unidentified defence official as saying.
Four Army personnel, including a Major, were killed while a soldier and a police officer were injured in the encounter. Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) Amit Kumar was hit by a bullet, Republic TV reported. Kumar, whose condition is said to be stable, was airlifted to Army Hospital in Pulwama. Two other soldiers were also injured, according to ANI.
A civilian was also killed, reports said. A search is still under way for other militants.
The gunfight on Monday took place after a joint team of the Army, Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operations Group had launched a cordon and search operation, GNS Kashmir reported. The suspected militants opened fire after the joint forces fired warning shots during the searches, an unidentified police official said.
At least three militants are believed to be trapped at the site, Hindustan Times reported.
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