Four militants killed in encounter in Shopian

Srinagar: Four militants were killed on Wednesday in an encounter which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Shopian.

An Army official said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at Melhoora in Shopian late on Tuesday night.

He said when security forces were sealing a particular area militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons. “The security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter,” they said, adding additional forces were rushed in to foil any attempts by militants to escape under the cover of darkness.

He said two militants were killed in the wee hours on Wednesday in the exchange of fire. “Two more militants were killed in the operation, which was still going on when the reports last came in,” he added.

This is the second operation by security forces in less than a week in the district. Two militants were killed in an encounter on April 17 which ensued after a CASO was launched by security forces in Dairoo in Shopian. (UNI)