Army jawan killed in Kashmir encounter

Kupwara: One Indian Army jawan has been killed and another injured in an ongoing operation against separatist guerrillas by the security forces near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Saturday, an officer said.

Around three militants are believed to be fighting in the encounter that has taken place near the Line of Control deep inside the forest areas of Lolab and Kalaroos. The injured soldier has been taken to the Drugmulla Field Hospital.

So far, six guerrillas and three army soldiers have been killed in this operation which has been going on for the last 20 days near the LoC. Police said a large group of heavily armed guerrillas have infiltrated into the Indian side of the LoC in the area following which a massive operation was started against them by the security forces.

In a similar gunfight a week ago near the Kalaroos forest area in Kupwara district, four militants and one soldier had been killed.