‘Arms recovered from the encounter site’
Srinagar: A joint operation of Army and SOG of the Police was launched on April 25 on a specific intelligences input, resulted in elimination of three militants, recovery of arms, war like stores and fatal casualties to two Army personnel including an officer, said Army spokesman.
According to the statement issued to KNS, at 1400h, on 26 Apr 14, based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of three militants in Village Manlo of District Shopian, a joint operation was launched by an RR unit and SOG of J&K Police. As the troops were in the process of cordoning the suspected house, a heavy volume of fire was brought down by the hiding militants which was effectively retaliated. The intermittent exchange of fire continued through the day and continued till late evening and restarted on morning of 26 April 14. Keeping the built up area in mind and to avoid any collateral damage, operations were conducted in a very calibrated manner. By late morning of26 Apr 14, all the three militants were eliminated. Two AK 47 rifles, one Pistol and other war like stores were recovered. During the operations, fighting valiantly, one Army Officer and a soldier suffered gunshot wounds and later succumbed to injuries and attained martyrdom.
The operation assumes importance in the back drop of recent killing of a polling staff and injury to other five persons, in the same area by the militants. The sacrifices of the Army personnel will go a long way in sustaining peace in the Valley. (KNS)