South Kashmir encounter: Injured civilian dies, toll mounts to three

Srinagar, August 10: One of the two civilians injured in an encounter between security forces and terrorists yesterday in Ahlan Kokernag died today, taking the death toll to three, officials said today.

The gunfight erupted in the afternoon as security forces were conducting an anti-terror operation in the dense forests of Ahlan Gadole, a remote area in the Kokernag area.

According to the Police, the operation was launched following credible intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

As the security forces advanced into the forested terrain, the terrorists opened fire, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

During the exchange, two soldiers were critically injured.

The injured soldiers were immediately shifted to a medical facility where they succumbed to their grievous injuries.

“It had been earlier confirmed through Human and Electronic means on 05 August 2024 terrorists responsible for atrocities and incidents in the Doda region in the month of July 24, had sneaked across the Kishtwar range into the Kapran Garol area in South Kashmir,” said the Srinagar-based defence spokesman, in a statement.

He said that Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police have ever since relentlessly tracked these terrorists and precise operations were launched on the night of 09 & 10 Aug 2024 in the area East of Kapran, in the mountains, where these terrorists were reportedly holed up.

“Suspicious movement was observed at approximately 1400 hours on 10 August, on challenging, was immediately responded to by indiscriminate, desperate and reckless firing from terrorists in which two Army personnel and two civilians, in the vicinity were injured,” said the spokesman.

He said the terror antecedents of the injured civilians were being ascertained.

“The area is above 10000 feet in high altitude, has thick under growth, large boulders, Nallahs and re-entrants that poses a serious challenge to operations. Security forces are moving deliberately and are in the process of hunting down the terrorists. Operations will progress through the night,” he added.