One Policeman, Two Militants Killed in J&K’s Bandipora Encounter

Militants opened fire on the security forces while they were conducting churches. 

(Photo: ANI)

An encounter between militants and security broke out in north Kashmir's Bandipora district, police said.

Security forces cordoned off the Mir Mohalla village in Hajin area of the district on Sunday morning, following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

When the forces were conducting the searches, the militants opened fire on them, triggering a gun battle, the official said.

A policeman was killed in the gunfight, as were “at least” two terrorists.

“The victim was a member of the police's special operations group. He succumbed to his injuries at an Army base hospital in Srinagar. The encounter is ongoing and two to three militants are believed to be trapped,” a police official said.

The firing has stopped for now, but heavy stone-pelting is underway. Further details are awaited.

(With inputs from IANS, PTI and ANI)