7 more militants killed, toll 15 in Machil encounter

Srinagar, Aug 23 (UNI) With the killing of seven more militants, the toll in the 24-hour Machil encounter has risen to 15, including a senior army officer and two soldiers.

A defence ministry spokesman said that operation in the Machil woods was still going on when the reports last came in.

He said seven more militants were killed since early this morning by the troops.

The encounter started when troops of 45 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a search operation in the forest area yesterday.

During the operation, five militants died and three army personnel, including colonel J Thomas, were killed and three others wounded.

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