Three soldiers among four killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 9 (UNI) Three soldiers and a civilian were killed while two securitymen were wounded in a fierce encounter in south Kashmir, a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said militants attacked a patrol party of 42 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at village Arigam, Tral, about 40 km from here in south Kashmir district of Pulwama late late last night.

Troops immediately retaliated and in the clash a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and two soldiers were killed leaving two others wounded.

He said a civilian was also killed in the exchange of firing between militants and security forces. The injured were admitted to hospital here.

However, local people alleged that security forces killed a civilian Mohammad Afzal Kumar in his house after the militant attack.

Reinforcements were rushed to the spot immediately from nearby camps and a massive hunt has been launched to nab the militants responsible for the attack.

This is the first major attack by the militants in Tral area of south Kashmir this year.

UNI