Encounter breaks out in Kupwara woods Group believed to have infiltrated recently, say officials

Kupwara, Apr 04: Security forces on Saturday late evening engaged in an encounter with suspected militants who had sneaked in four days ago through Jumgand area on LoC in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the gunfight broke out between forces and a group of infiltrated militants in Jumgand woods in Teen Bahak area.

The official said four days back, an infiltration attempt was made by a group of militants but their move was hampered by alert troops manning the Line of Control (LoC), leading to brief exchange of gunfire.

After brief exchange of fire, the suspected militants managed to flee by taking advantage of snow and rains in the area, he said.

He said that following their escape form the spot, a massive joint search operation was launched by Army’s 41 RR, 57 RR, 160 TA, SOG Kupwara JKP earlier led by Army’s 8 Jatt to track down the hiding militants.

The official further said that after conducting searches for three days, the hiding militants were located and forces engaged them in a gunfight in the woods.

Confirming the development, Senior Superintendent Of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Shriram Ambarkar told—KNO that searches are going on and exchange of gunfire also took place within the woods.

He said that the militants are believed to be same who had made infiltration attempt, still the operation is going on and more details related to the incident will come to fore after the operation ends—(KNO)