J-K: Three soldiers, militant dead as gunfight rages in Bandipora

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar, Feb 14, 2017: Three soldiers and a militant were killed in a gunfight at northern Kashmir’s Bandipora on Tuesday morning, police and army said.

 

A Srinagar-based army spokesperson said, “Three soldiers have been martyred and five others are injured. The operation has been terminated.”

The gunfight started at 5.30 am after security forces launched a search operation, following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in Hajin area.

This is the second gunfight to happen in the Valley in as many days. Two soldiers, two civilians and four militants were killed on Sunday in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district . One of the civilians was killed when the police opened fire to disperse people protesting against the death of militants, who hailed from south Kashmir.

Militants have stepped up the offensive in the Valley . Two gunmen were killed on a highway in the Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on February 4. One of them was a local Hizbul Mujahideen commander and the other a foreigner.

The situation in the Valley has worsened after Sunday’s violence, and a shutdown was called on Monday by the separatist leadership in protest against the civilian deaths.

On Wednesday, there is a Kulgam Chalo march called by the separatist leaders.