4 Indian soldiers killed in encounter in Kashmir

4 Indian soldiers killed in encounter in Kashmir

Four Indian soldiers, including an officer, were killed in an encounter with militants in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir today, defence sources said.

Security forces mounted a cordon and search operation in Pinglan area of Pulwama district in the early hours on receiving inputs about the presence of militants in the area, our New Delhi correspondent quoted a police official as saying.

He said the troops were conducting searches when the militants opened fire on them, triggering a gun battle.

Defence sources said four soldiers, including an officer, were killed in the encounter.

A civilian was also reportedly killed but there was no confirmation so far. The area is under cordon and the operation still on.

The latest incident came three days after a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed an explosive-filled vehicle in a bus carrying Indian paramilitary men killing 40 of them in Pulwama district last Thursday, sparking nation-wide grief and anger.


mj/