An army trooper and two militants were killed in an ongoing fierce gunfight in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday.

Another soldier was also wounded in the gun battle.

A defence spokesman said troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police jointly surrounded Watsar forest area near Handwara on receiving information about the presence of a group of militants.

“As the security forces were searching the area, the militants opened fire triggering an encounter,” he said.

“One soldier was killed and another wounded in the encounter.” The injured trooper was evacuated to hospital for treatment.

The spokesman confirmed two militants were also killed so far in the ongoing gunfight.

“The operation is on,” he added. 

Image: The encounter broke out when militants hiding in the Watsar forest area near Handwara opened fire on the troops. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com