Kashmir: Militant killed, security jawan injured in Budgam encounter

The encounter started on Monday evening and the operation was still on when the reports last came in.

While the militant was killed this morning, the security jawan was injured last night, he said.

The road to the Shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Noor Ud Din Wali has been closed for any traffic and pedestrian movement as the operation is going on at Nowhard on Chadoora-Charar-e-Sharief road.

According to the spokesperson, the troops Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint CASO at Nowhard, Charar-e-Sharief in Badgam district last evening following a tip-off about the presence of militants.

After the entire area was cordoned off, the security forces launched a house-to-house search.

However, when the forces were moving towards a house, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.

A security force jawan was injured in the initial encounter. The jawan was rushed to a hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.

People living in the adjacent areas were asked to leave for safe places.

Additional security forces were rushed to the area to further tighten the cordon around the particular house.

Security forces installed search lights in the entire area to keep a close vigil to foil any attempt by militants to escape.

There was almost no firing during the night after heavy exchange of fire last night, he said.

However, this morning with the first light, security forces made an all out offensive against the holed up militants who again resorted to heavy firing.

A militant was killed this morning, he said, adding that the operation was going on when the reports last came in.

Additional security forces have been deployed in the adjacent areas and Charar-e-Sharief town, about a km from the encounter site to maintain law and order.