Five Militants, Three Soldiers Die in 'Longest' anti-Militancy Operation in 2014

SRINAGAR : An encounter between security forces and militants in Kalaroos area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district entered into eighth straight day with five militants and three soldiers been killed in the encounter so far.

The operation was launched on August 24 after Army claimed to have spotted a group of infiltrating militants moving towards Kupwara and intercepted them near Behak village, eight kilometers from Kalaroos.

According to the army sources, the militant group infiltrated from Machil sector aiming to create disturbance during the upcoming elections in the state.

"The encounter which was started by Army's 41 and 45 Rashtriya Rifles is on but now only four units of 28 RR are part of it" army official disclosed to The Citizen.

The official further said that this is the "longest anti-militancy operation this year, so far", adding that “we are hopeful it will be contained soon”.

However,if reports are to be believed, then, two militants have escaped from the encounter area and army are on search operation to locate them.

Meanwhile four army soldiers including an officer were killed and six others were injured after a vehicle in which they were travelling in, overturned near Kalaroos forest area of Lolab in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Tuesday.

Official sources stated that the vehicle bearing registration number ALS 00B127384E of army's 41 RR was on way to Sarkoli skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge during wee hours Tuesday resulting in injuries to ten army soldiers including a Major.

Army sources told that the soldiers belonging to the army's 160 TA were returning from Gurdogi forest area towards Kalaroos when the incident took place.
"The army party had launched the searches in the area following the intelligence inputs about the presence of some suspected militants in the area", the sources said.