Pulwama gunfight: Two militants, five army men, civilian killed, operation on

PNN J&K (Nissar Shaheen:)

Pulwama, February 18 : Two militants have been killed and another army man succumbed to injuries in the gunfight raging in Pinglena area of Pulwama district taking the death toll to eight. Officials told PNN that the bodies of two militants have been recovered but firing continues. “We believe there are more militants hiding in the area. We have also lost another soldier, he succumbed to injuries,” an official said.

Earlier four army men were killed including a Major ranking officer. A civilian as well has died in the gunfight between militants and government forces in Pinglan area of South Kashmir that erupted in the intervening night.

The operation, according to officials, is going on.Reports reaching said that four army men who were critically injured and were evacuated to hospital have succumbed to injuries.”The killed personnel include a Major ranking officer as well, ” sources said.

The civilian killed in the exchange of fire has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad. A police source told KNO that Ahmad died in the exchange of fire between two sides. Official told that there was a brief exchange of fire at around 1 am.

Earlier, joint team of army’s 55RR,CRPF 182 BN, 183BN and SOG Pulwama launched cordon and search operation in Pinglan area after having credible input about presence of some militants in the area.
As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot the hiding militants fired upon government forces triggering an encounter.