2 soldiers injured in Bandipora encounter; area cordoned

Srinagar, Apr 24: Two soldiers received minor injuries in an ongoing anti-terror operation in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Wednesday morning.

The encounter began after troops of 13 and 14 Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police cordoned off Ranji Forests of adjoining Armgam on Wednesday morning.

The cordon was established after specific information about the presence of at least two terrorists in the area.

“A contact was established between terrorists and security forces in the early morning in Renji forest area of Aragam, Bandipora. The search operation is going on @JmuKmrPolice,” Kashmir Zone Police posted on X soon after the exchange of fire took place in the area.

“OP MULKHYAMA, Bandipore; Based on specific intelligence by agencies regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched from 21 Apr onwards by the Indian Army and @JmuKmrPolice in general area Mulkhyama Forest, Bandipore. The area was cordoned and a search was conducted,” Chinar Corps-Indian Army posted on X.

“Two soldiers received minor splinter injuries in the initial shootout,” a senior Police officer posted in north Kashmir said. “Since then there has been no further contact.”

The officer said that a massive area had been cordoned off and a joint search operation in the area is underway.

“The terrain is difficult and the weather is inclement in the area,” he said. “The security forces have maintained a tight cordon around the area, and additional reinforcements have been deployed to ensure the safety of civilians and to prevent any attempts by the terrorists to escape.”

The security forces urged the local population to cooperate with them and not to venture into the encounter zone until the operation concluded.