Security Forces Kill Militant In Encounter

Srinagar: A militant was killed on Sunday in an ongoing gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's border town of Uri.

The security forces launched an operation after receiving specific inputs about militants hiding in the Kalghi forest area. "As the cordon was tightened, the militants opened fire at the security forces triggering the gunfight," a police official said.

It is learnt that the search operation tuned into an encounter after the militants opened fire on the security forces.

An Army official said that cordon was laid and search operation is started in Kalgai area of Uri this morning following information about presence of militants in the area. The civilian population has been evacuated from the area and the operation is still going on.

Meanwhile, at Sopore town, an alert Special Police Officer (SPO) threw back a grenade hurled by militants from inside a security force vehicle averting casualties to over 15 colleagues.

But the grenade exploded in the return throw, two policemen and four civilians suffered minor injuries, a police officer said. The militant attack took place near a State Bank of India branch. — (IANS)