Army Major,4 militants killed in JK gunbattle

Srinagar, Mar 22: Three Army personnel, a Major and four militants have been killed in an encounter at Hafrada forest in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, the gunbattle, which is continuing since Friday, Mar 20 has also injured a soldier.

On receiving information of the militant infiltration in the forest area, the Army, assisted by the local police acted promptly and launched a gunbattle in which Major Mehak and three other jawans were killed, while Havildar Rakesh Kumar was injured, sources said.

Four militants have also been killed so far in the gunfight, reports said.

There are reports that the Army is fighting with almost a dozen militants, still active in the area.

Earlier, the Indian Army had asked for a flag meeting after Pakistani Army indulged in a major breach of ceasefire, and fired between 1500 to 2000 rounds at Indian posts in the Kamalkote area of the Uri sector between 10:00 p.m. on Friday, Mar 21 night and 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, Mar 22 morning.

Pakistan authorities are yet to respond.

India and Pakistan had declared a ceasefire on the borders of the two countries in Nov 2003.

ANI