SRINAGAR: Two soldiers died of bullet wounds and four terrorists were killed in twin gunfights in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district Saturday. Lance Naik Pradeep Naik of Army’s Para Commando unit was killed in Modergam village, while havildar Raj Kumar of 1 Rashtriya Rifles died in Frisal Chinnigam area, officials said. The two operations are ongoing, with some more terrorists believed to be trapped at both sites.
The terrorist death count touched nine from extensive security counteroffensives in J&K after four attacks in Jammu region on June 9, 11, and 12.These attacks resulted in the deaths of seven pilgrims, their local bus driver and conductor, and a CRPF constable. In response, five suspected Pakistani terrorists were killed in Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu.
An official said a joint team of J&K police, 9 Rashtriya Rifles, and CRPF personnel launched a cordon and search operation in Modergam Saturday morning, following intelligence about the presence of terrorists. As the forces approached the suspected location, the terrorists started shooting, triggering a gunfight. “During the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Pradeep Naik was critically wounded. He died in hospital,” a police officer said.
Later in the afternoon, a second gunfight erupted in Frisal Chinnigam. As a team of police, 1 Rashtriya Rifles, and CRPF approached a suspected hideout, they were met with heavy gunfire.
“The forces retaliated strongly and four terrorists were killed, while havildar Raj Kumar was wounded. He was transported to the military’s 92 Base Hospital, where his condition deteriorated and he died,” an officer said.
According to Kashmir zone IGP VK Birdi, four bodies (of terrorists) have been sighted at the site. “The exact number of terrorists killed or trapped, along with their identities, can only be ascertained once the shooting ends,” he said. “Both sites are in the interior areas and not near the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, where security forces keep tracking terrorist movements.”
Security sources revealed that 23 local terrorists are active in Kashmir, with around 10 in Kulgam alone.