Encounter underway between security forces, militants in Kulgam

Srinagar, Jul 9 (UNI) An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in the south Kashmir district of Kulgam on Friday, police said.

Acting on a specific information about the presence of militants in village Redwani in Kulgam, the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the wee hours of Friday.

A Police Spokesperson said that when the security forces were moving towards targeted area in the village, militants fired on the forces, who retaliated leading to an encounter.

Additional security forces were rushed to the area and cordoned was further strengthened. Meanwhile, all roads leading to the village have been sealed, he said, adding that the operation was going on when the last reports came in.

This was the third operation during the past 36 hours in the south Kashmir, in which four militants were killed by the security forces. On July 7, a top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander was killed by the security forces.