Army man injured in Baramulla encounter succumbs; terrorist killed in Kulgam

SRINAGAR: A day after getting injured in an encounter with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Baramulla district, an Army soldier succumbed to his injuries at a Srinagar hospital on Thursday. During the ongoing encounter in Wanseeran Taripora forest area of the district, forces, however, succeeded in catching alive one local Lashkar terrorist, while his Pakistani accomplice is still engaged in the exchange of fire.
An official said that the soldier of 52 Rashtriya Rifles, Kulbushan Manta, had received bullet injuries during the encounter on Wednesday. He was evacuated to a hospital in Srinagar, where he succumbed on Thursday.
In a statement, a police spokesman said that acting on specific information regarding presence of terrorists in Wanseeran Taripora jungle under Sheeri police station, a joint team of police, Army 52 RR, 46 RR and 53 Bn CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area on Wednesday. During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired upon the search party, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter in which Manta was injured.
“One Lashkar terrorist, identified as Nisar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Shrakwara Kreeri in Baramulla district, was apprehended alive,” police said, adding that another Pakistani terrorist, Usman of LeT, is still engaged in the exchange of fire.
One modified AKS 74u, one magazine, 28 rounds among other incriminating materials have been recovered from the apprehended terrorist, the statement said.
Meanwhile, a local terrorist was killed in an encounter at Asthan Marg in Kausarnag area of Kulgam district on Thursday.
“An #encounter took place at Asthan Marg in general area of #Kausarnag, #Kulgam district in which one #terrorist got killed. Search still going on. Further details shall follow,” the police tweeted.
In another terror-related incident, a low intensity blast took place in Aloosa area of Bandipora district while an Army vehicle was passing by on Thursday. However, no loss of life had been reported.
“A low intensity blast took place at Aloosa in #Bandipora district while Army’s vehicle was passing through Aloosa area. No loss of life reported. #Reinforcement reached and area being searched. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir zone police tweeted.