Death toll rises to 25 in ongoing encounter in Kupwara in Kashmir valley,17 militants killed, operat

Srinagar, March 24  – Six more militants were killed on Tuesday taking the death toll in the fierce gunbattle between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir‘s Kupwara district to 25. On the Security Forces side  one officer and seven soldiers were  martyred in fiercely fought, almost hand to hand fight, with the terrorists at various places. 

Seventeen militants and eight Army personnel, including a Major, were killed in the encounter which began on 20th March on higher reaches of the Shamsabari range in Harfada forest, a defence spokesman said.

On the first day, three militants were mowed down by the security forces.

Defence spokesperson said that 17 assault rifles,04 under barrel grenade launchers (UBGL),13 AK magazines, 207 AK ammunition, 19 UBGL Grenades, 02 Grenades,02  Global Positioning  Systems, 01 Thuraya Radio Set, 01 Kenwood Radio Set, 03 Map Sheets,03 Matrix Sheets, 02 haversacks    and 9200/- rupees in Indian currency were recovered in the operations, so far.

  The defence spokesperson Lt Col JS Brar refuted reports appearing in some sections of the media that helicopter gunships were used, reiterating that the rugged terrain in the area precluded use of any heavy weapons.  He further stated that in this operation, minimum collateral damage to property was caused. 

On being asked whether the group was an infiltrating  column, the spokesperson   stated that the group most likely consisted of an  infiltrating  column as well as  the terrorists who had come to receive them.  He further stated that the operation was based on sound intelligence inputs as well as human intelligence provided by own sources.

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