Three soldiers injured in ongoing firefight in Anantnag

SRINAGAR — Three soldiers including an Army officer were injured in an ongoing encounter with militants at Bidoora village in Achabal area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Official sources said that Army officer of Major rank namely Rahul Varma along with two other soldiers sustained injuries during the fresh exchange of gunfire at Bidoora, Aknigam.

A police officer also confirmed that three soldiers including the officer suffered injuries during the fresh exchange of gunfight. He said that the injured were immediately evacuated to nearby military hospital for treatment.

Earlier, two bodies were spotted by the joint team of Army’s 19 RR and SOG near the encounter site at Bidoora, Aknigam.

However, sources said that one among the slain is believed to be a militant namely Mohammad Aslam Dar of Redwani, Kulgam.

The officer said that two bodies were found by the joint team at the encounter site during search operation. He said that investigations are underway to ascertain the identities of the slain.

He said that the fresh gunfight started as the joint team was searching the area, resulting in injuries to the three soldiers.

Earlier, the encounter broke out after Army’s 19 RR and SOG launched a cordon-and-search at Bidoora, Aknigam.

SSP Anantnag Altaf Khan had said that the cordon was laid following a specific information about the presence of some militants in the area.