Srinagar, May 16 (UNI) A soldier and a militant were killed while two jawans and a civilian sustained injuries in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Pulwama in the wee hours of Thursday, official sources said.
Two security forces personnel and a civilian identified as Youns Jala, a local resident were also injured in the shootout. The injured were rushed to hospital, where one of the soldier identified as Sandeep succumbed. The operation was still going on when the reports last came in.
Earlier in the wee hours, troops of Rashitriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police had launched a joint search operation in village Dalipora, Pulwama, following a tip off about the presence of militants, official sources said. After sealing all exit points, security forces launched searches in the area. However when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding there opened fire with automatic weapons, they said adding fire was returned ensuing in an encounter.
Additional security forces and state police personnel have been deployed in the nearby areas to prevent demonstration.
The operation was still going on when the reports last came in, they said adding mobile internet service in Pulwama has been suspended as a precautionary measure.
UNI BAS JAL 0752