3 militants, solider and woman killed in north Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 24 (UNI) Three top militants, a soldier and a woman, were killed and an Army jawan was critically wounded in a fierce encounter in north Kashmir late last night, a senior police officer said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir K Rajinder Kumar told UNI that troops of 5 Jat Battalion and 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint operation at village Aragam Bandipora, about 55 km from here, last evening after receiving specific information that militants were hiding there.

He said when the troops were sealing the area militants attacked them with automatic weapons and grenades. Troops also returned the fire and in the fierce clash till 2400 hrs three top militants were killed.

Mr Kumar said a rocket accidentally hit a house, killing a woman Sara Begum.

Two soldiers were also critically wounded in the incident. The injured were admitted to hospital where one of them died, he said.

Mr Kumar said three AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

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