J&K: 4 terrorists killed, para commando martyred in Shopian encounter

Shopian, Nov 20: Security forces gunned down four terrorists after an encounter broke out in Nadigam village in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian early Tuesday morning, just minutes before the Panchayat polls.

Two to three terrorists engaged security forces in a fierce gunfight at around 0300hrs but were pinned down by counter fire. The gunbattle reportedly lasted well over an hour in which four terrorists were killed.

The deceased soldier has been identified as 37-year-old Lance Havaldar from Haryana's Bhiwani district.

"Four terrorists have been killed in the operation in Nadigam area of Shopian," PTI quoted Srinagar-based defence spokesman, Col Rajesh Kalia as saying. However, a police official said an Army man was killed while two others were injured in the encounter.

"The search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired on the forces, who retaliated," PTI quoted a police official as saying.

A search operation for a possible third has been launched in a joint operation between Indian Army, CRPF and J&K police.

(with PTI inputs)