Two militants killed in gunfight, another erupts in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 24 (UNI) Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, one of them a top commander, and a senior Army officer have been killed in the more than 24-hour-long gun-battle so far in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, an Army spokesman said today.

The gunfight between militants and troops of 29 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) resumed this morning after it was suspended last night at Behrampora Tilgam village in Pattan area, about 27 km from here.

The spokesman said two Let militants, one of them a district Commander, have been killed in the more than 24-hour-long gun-battle so far. The bodies of the two militants were recovered this morning from the debris of a house in which they had taken refuge. Their identity was being ascertained, he added.

The spokesman said the gunfight was on when reports last came in.

The encounter erupted following specific information yesterday morning that a group of militants were hiding in some houses in the village. The troops, led by 29 RR Commanding Officer Colonel G S Sarna, immediately rushed to the area and sealed all exit points.

However, when they were about to storm a particular house, militants, hiding inside, opened fire on them.

Troops also retaliated and in the ensuing gun-battle, Col Sarna received bullet wounds in the abdomen. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to wounds, the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, the gun-battle, which erupted between militants and troops of 22 RR at Dangerpora in Sopore area of Baramulla district last evening, resumed this morning, the spokesman said.

Further details were awaited.

UNI AG MS HT1230