Soldier, two civilians injured during ongoing gunfight in Shopian

SRINAGAR — An Army soldier was injured in an ongoing encounter at Melhora area of Shopian district in south Kashmir on Tuesday. Two civilians were also injured near the encounter site and one of them, a woman, was hit with a bullet in her leg.

Reports reaching here said that a soldier suffered bullet wounds in the operation. Two militants have also been killed during the initial exchange of fire.

Two civilians sustained injuries near the site. Among them, a woman Shahnaza Bano wife of Farooq Ahmad Koka suffered bullet and was shifted to a nearby hospital where from she was referred to SMHS hospital Srinagar.

Another civilian, Asif Ahmad Reshi son of Nissar Reshi of Watchi, according to reports, suffered pellet wounds after police and paramilitary forces chased a group of youth near the encounter site. All the injured have been moved to different hospitals.

Earlier, a joint team of SOG and Army’s 55 RR laid a siege in Melhora village.

A police officer said that the operation was launched following specific inputs about the presence of some militants. The joint team of forces while intensifying the searches fired several warning shots towards the suspected spot after which the militants hiding in the area opened indiscriminate fire, triggering off a fierce gunfight, he said.

“So far, two militants have been killed in the operation. The identities and group affiliation of the slain are being ascertained,” he said.

The officer said that the operation may stretch throughout the night even as lights have been already erected and exit points sealed with additional reinforcements.