Two cops injured in Bandipora gunbattle

SRINAGAR — Two policemen were injured in an ongoing gunbattle in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Friday.

They said the gunbattle that broke out in the early hours is underway in the Ajas forest of the district.

Officials said a search operation was launched in the forest area following an input. They said as the security forces headed to a hideout, militants opened fire on the troops, triggering a gunbattle.

“In the initial firing, two policemen were injured,” they said. However, police has not confirmed any injuries to its men so far.

The Army on Friday said a joint search operation was launched with the police at Kolnar Ajas, Bandipora, following a specific intelligence input about the presence of militants.

“Contact was established and a firefight ensued. Operation is in progress,” Army Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said.

A day earlier, security forces had arrested four suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of Lashkar in the district in two separate operations.

In the past three days, Kashmir has witnessed a major carnage as militants targeted tourists near the famous resort town of Pahalgam, leaving 25 tourists and one local dead.

A day later, two infiltrators were shot dead in the Uri sector of Baramulla district. That same evening, a gunbattle broke out in Kulgam district, though no casualties were reported.