One militant and a jawan killed in Kashmir encounter

Srinagar, Jun 22 (UNI) One of the two militants, holed up in a house, and a security force jawan were killed in a fierce encounter ensued during a search operation at Chaterhama, about a km away from the main Amarnath Yatra route in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal today.

A senior police officer said near the site of encounter that one of the militants was killed by the security forces.

He said a security force jawan also laid down his life in the encounter.

The officer said the area around the particular house has been sealed off as there could be one more militant inside the house.

A number of loud explosions from the encounter site and heavy exchange of fire were heard.

Official sources said security forces on a tip-off about the presence of militants at Chaterhama, about one km from the main Srinagar-Baltal route, launched a search operation this morning.

However, when the security forces were sealing off the area, the militants opened fire. The fire was returned and the fierce encounter was going on when the reports last came in.

The sound of the firing could be heard in the entire area, including at main Amarnath yatra route.

UNI BAS MYK KK HT1345