Soldier killed amid encounter in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir

A soldier was killed on Saturday amid an ongoing encounter in the Kulgam area of Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces clashed with terrorists in two separate parts of the district — Frisal Chinnigam and Modergam. Reports indicate that at least four terrorists have also been gunned down as the fight continues.

According to a PTI update quoting officials, drone footage of the encounter site has shown four bodies lying there. However it has not been possible to retrieve the bodies so far as firing continued in the area. 

“Some bodies (of terrorists) have been sighted, but the encounter has not concluded yet,” IGP Kashmir VK Birdhi told reporters after visiting the encounter site.

As per updates shared by the Chinar Corps unit of the Indian Army, two separate joint operations have been launched in the Chinigam and Modargham areas of the northern district.

“Contact was established with terrorists and operations are in progress,” the update added.

Several terror incidents have been reported from Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks. Three three terrorists were neutralized in an encounter with security forces in Doda district on June 26. A policeman was also injured in the gunfight that broke out in Bajaad village in the Gandoh area amid an intensified cordon-and-search operation, following twin terror attacks in the hill district on June 11 and 12.

Prior to this, the Valley saw four successive clashes and attacks in as many days leaving several dead and dozens of others injured. 

Terrorists had opened fire at a bus carrying 'yatris' from Shiv Khori to Katra on June 9 in the Pouni area of Reasi district. Nine people — including a child — were killed after the bus fell into a nearby gorge. The NIA took over the investigation on June 15 on orders from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

(With inputs from agencies)