3 more militants killed in on-going operation, toll risen to 15 in north Kashmir

Srinagar: With the killing of three more militants during the past 24 hours, the death toll in the on-going operation in the woods in north Kashmir has risen to 15.
Twelve militants, all foreigners, were killed in a fierce encounter on August 20 by the troops near the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector, which is surrounded by Pakistan Army from three sides.
An Army officer also laid down his life while two other soldiers were injured in that encounter.
Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Colonel J S Brar said that, based on intelligence inputs, troops guarding the border killed 12 militants in Gurez sector, foiling a major infiltration bid.
He said post encounter intensive search operations were undertaken for the past two days in the jungles in the vicinity of the encounter site.
Lt Col Brar said yesterday the Army eliminated another militant near Bagtor Village while conducting search operations.
The militants fired indiscriminately on being cornered by the troops, who immediately returned fire resulting in the elimination of the militants. The operations were still on when the reports last came.
In another incident two militants were eliminated in the dense jungle of Handwara. In the crossfire, two civilians who were present in the vicinity were injured.
A large quantity of war-like stores were recovered which included two AK-47 rifles, nine magazines, 170 rounds, one map sheet, one mobile phone, one hand grenade, one global positioning system, one wireless set and one compass.
He said the operation will continue in the woods.