Four soldiers and as many militants were killed on Tuesday in two separate gunfights in the Kashmir Valley, officials said. An army officer Major S Dhaiya succumbed to injuries he sustained during an encounter in north Kashmir's Kupwara district succumbed. Three militants were also gunned down.
The post-gunfight combing operation led to the recovery of three weapons.
Earlier in the day, three soldiers and a militant were killed and eight others injured in a gunfight between the security forces and militants in Bandipora district.
The incident took place when security forces launched a search operation in Parraypora village after receiving information about holed-up militants.
Eight people, including seven security men and a civilian were injured during the gunfight in the village located in Hajin area.
The gunfight has ended, police said. The slain militants identities were being established. The three soldiers killed in the gunfight belonged to the 13 Rashtriya Rifles.
In less than 48 hours, 16 people, including six soldiers and two civilians, have been killed.
On 12 February, two soldiers, four militants and two civilians were killed in a gunfight in southern Kulgam district.
The incident triggered clashes between civilians and security forces, leaving around two dozen people injured.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)