First encounter in Jammu & Kashmir since Art 370 abrogation

The gun battle between security forces and militants in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir continued till late into the night on Tuesday.

Army authorities said there was heavy exchange of gunfire between both sides even as they refrained from divulging the exact number of militants that were involved in the encounter.

Security agencies, including the Jammu and Kashmir police, were fighting the militants in the encounter.

“Firing began at 5 p.m. with the militants in Old Baramullah. The operation is under way,” said a Army official.

The area was cordoned off for the public as soon as the gunfight began.

Ever since the Union government abrogated special category status to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 by abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution, this is the first encounter between security forces and militants in the Valley.

As per sources around 2-3 terrorists were engaged in a gunfight as the joint operation between the Army, Jammu and Kashmir police and other security agencies was launched. Baramullah is located around 54 km from Srinagar.

Kashmir Valley has been by and large peaceful barring stray incidents of stone-pelting and protests since August 5. The number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the LoC have increased, however, over the past week after a lull in the first fortnight of August.

(IANS)