Army Major and soldier killed in south Kashmir firing

According to reports, militants attacked an army patrol party in Zadipora Shopian, some 55 kms from state capital Srinagar early today when security forces along with Special Operation group of Kashmir Police were laying a cordon in the area following an input about militant presence.

"Four Army men, including a Major, were injured in the attack. The injured Army men were shifted to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, where the officer Kamlesh and another jawan sepoy Tanjin succumbed to injuries. The condition of the other injured is also stated to be critical," a police official said.

Soon after the attack, forces launched an anti-militancy operation in the area, however, sources said the militants managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness.

Earlier, two militants were killed in an overnight gunfight at Gopalpora Kulgam, over 75 km from Srinagar.

According to an official of 9 RR of army, a joint operation led by the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Jammu and Kashmir Police laid an ambush in Gopalpora village of Damhal Hanjipora after inputs about the movement of militants in the area.

He said a brief gunfight erupted after forces challenged the militants. “Two militants were killed in the operation,” he said.

Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the slain militants.

Confirming the details, the Jammu and Kashmir police tweeted, "Two militants killed by @JmuKmrPolice and SF in Gopalpora Kulgam. One of them was involved in killing of 5 policemen & guards of bank Van."

Congratulating the teams, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Shesh Paul Vaid tweeted, "Last night in a joint operation 2 terrorists were killed at Gopalpora #Kulgam. Well done boys!"

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)

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