Two soldiers wounded in Kashmir encounter

Srinagar, July 2 (UNI) At least two soldiers were wounded in an ongoing gun-battle with militants in Bandipora area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district this evening, an Army spokesman said.

He said the encounter erupted when a search party was attacked by the militants hiding in a house at Gamaru in Bandipora area.

The fire was effectively retaliated by troops and a cordon has been laid in the entire area, he added.

In the on-going gunfight, the spokesman said two soldiers were wounded.

Further details were awaited.

Official sources said the militants were engaged in a gunfight with the troops of 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 2 Grenadiers.

Residents of the area called up UNI over phone from Bandipora and alleged that troops have burnt down six houses in the area so far and were not allowing police or the fire brigade personnel to come to the rescue of the locals.

They sought the help of the media in this regard.

The encounter comes two days after 15 RR Lt Colonel V R Chauhan, two militants and a civilian were killed in a more than five-hour-long fierce gunfight at Nowpora market in Bandipora area on June 30. A BSF personnel was also wounded in the encounter.

UNI AG VD PC1903