Soldier killed in Kishtwar gunfight

Srinagar, May 22: An Army soldier was killed during an ongoing encounter between security forces and militants in the Singhpora area of Chatroo in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday.

Official sources said the firefight broke out after a joint team of the Army and police launched a cordon and search operation in the area following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants. As the forces approached a suspected hideout, they came under fire, triggering a fierce exchange.

“One soldier sustained injuries and was evacuated to a nearby medical facility where he succumbed to his injuries,” officials said, adding that four militants have been cornered and are believed to be holed up in the area.

The operation is underway, with heavy exchange of fire reported from the encounter site. Reinforcements have been rushed to prevent the militants from escaping the cordon. [KNT]