Three militants killed, jawan injured in encounter in valley

Srinagar: Three unidentified militants were killed while an Army jawan was injured in an encounter in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Shokbaba forest in the Sumblar area of Bandipora in north Kashmir following inputs about the presence of militants there, they said.
The officials said as the forces were conducting searches in the area, the militants fired upon them.
The forces retaliated, ensuing an encounter in which so far three militants have been killed, they added.
Srinagar-based PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said an Army personnel suffered injuries in the gunfight.
He said the injured jawan has been evacuated and is undergoing treatment.
The officials said the identity and group affiliation of the slain ultras are being ascertained.
The operation is in progress and further details are awaited, they said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that in total three unidentified militants have been killed and search operation is on.
“One soldier was also injured in the initial exchange of fire who was evacuated to the army's 92 base hospital,” the IGP said.
Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Emron Musavi also said that only one solider had sustained injuries who was evacuated to base hospital. He also said that the operation was underway.
Police sources said that it was being ascertained whether the slain militants had recently infiltrated or were hiding in the forest belt of Shokbaba range.
“The area is on a height and covered by dense forest cover,” they said. Defence sources said that the operation took time given the fact that militants changed their first location from Shokbaba to Aragam where army’s 13 RR engaged them.
“There is a tough terrain and the operation was a deliberate one,” they said. They search operation is on to rule out presence of any other hiding militant in the area even as the firing has stopped.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement said that on a specific input generated by Police regarding presence of militants in the forest area of Shokbaba Sumlar-Aragam area of Bandipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Bandipora Police, 13RR, 14RR, Para (SF), MARCOS(Marine Commandos) and CRPF in the area.
“During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the joint search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the initial exchange of fire, one army personnel of 14RR received gunshot injuries. He was immediately evacuated to hospital for treatment of his injuries,” the spokesman said, adding that in the ensuing encounter, so far three unidentified militants were killed. “However, operation in the area is still going on. Further details shall be communicated as and when the operation will conclude,” the police spokesman said.