Jammu and Kashmir: 3 soldiers martyred, Pakistani intruders neutralised in Rajouri enounter

In an encounter at Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday at least two Pakistani intruders were neutralised and three Indian Army jawans lost their lives. Another jawan was also injured in the encounter that took place after the army foiled an infiltration bid.

The confrontation took place at Sunderbani sector in the district along the Line of Control (LoC). The security forces have recovered weapons from the intruders. A minimum of two AK-47 rifles has been recovered.

"Army in Sunderbani sector of the LoC in Rajouri district engaged a group of heavily armed infiltrators in a fierce encounter in which two intruding terrorists were killed while three soldiers also attained martyrdom," Defence Ministry spokesperson said.

The slain intruders are believed to be members of a Border Action Team (BAT) comprising Pakistan Army jawans and trained militants, an army officer said on condition of anonymity.

"At about 1.45 pm, Indian Army in Sunderbani sector had a fierce encounter with heavily armed Pakistani intruders very close to the LoC. The patrol (team) killed two intruders and recovered war-like stores including two AK-47 rifles," the spokesman said. He said three soldiers were killed while fighting the intruders and another soldier suffered grievous injuries and has been airlifted to the Army Command hospital in Udhampur.

The injured soldier's condition is reported to be stable, the spokesman said. He said the area near the encounter site was cordoned off and a "search-and-destroy" operation is in progress.

The encounter took place just hours after three Pakistan-backed terrorists were neutralised by the security forces after a fierce gunbattle in Larro area of Kulgam district of South Kashmir. A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander, who was identified as Sheeraz Moulvi, was among the three terrorists killed in the encounter. However, two others managed to escape.   

One soldier was also injured in the cross-firing by the terrorists during the anti-terror operation. Meanwhile, some civilians were also injured after explosives left by the terrorists at the encounter site went off resulting in the death of one civilian.

The slain civilian was identified as Ubaid Laway, son of Mohd Maqbool Laway, of Larro, news agency ANI reported.

The civilians were earlier warned to stay away from the encounter site after the operation concluded as a massive search operation was launched by the security forces. However, in spite of the request, some civilians, mostly youths, reached the encounter site during which some explosives left by the terrorists exploded. 

Sharing more information about the encounter, DGP, J&K Police Dilbag Singh had earlier said, ''The encounter has concluded just now and I have been told that three terrorists were neutralised in it. The operation is being wrapped up.'' The identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained,'' he added.