Jahangir Lolabi
Kupwara, Nov 8 (GNS): An officer was among four army and BSF soldiers besides three militants killed in a fierce gunfight near Line of Control in Machil area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday, official said. Two soldiers were also injured in the gunfight.
While identity of the militants has not be revealed so far, the fatalities from army include a lieutenant ranked officer Lt. Asutosh Kumar, Havildar Parveen Kumar, Sepoy Rada while other soldier belonged to BSF’s 169 battalion and has been identified as Constable Sudeep Sarkar. Also two army soldiers were injured in the gunfight, the officials added.
“At about 0100h BSF patrol noticed suspicious movement near the Anti-Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS) (LoC Fence), about 3.5 KM from the LoC. Firefight ensued in which one (militant) was killed. A BSF soldier was killed in action (KIA). Firefight stopped at 0400h,” defence ministry spokesman based in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia told GNS.
“More troops were rushed to the area. The (militant) movement was tracked by surveillance devices.
Contact was re-established at 1020h when heavy fire was drawn by own search parties approximately 1.5 km from the LoC,” he said, adding, “In the ensuing firefight two more (militants) were killed. Own troops suffered three KIA and two injured. The Injured soldiers have been evacuated.”
Meanwhile sources told GNS that two AK rifles with two magazines and 60 rounds, one pistol with two magazines and 29 rounds, a radio set and Rs 50,000 Indian currency were seized from militants possession. (GNS)
