Two soldiers killed in ongoing anti-militancy operations in Anantnag

Two soldiers killed, four injured in anti-militancy operation in Anantnag; civilians also hurt; militants engaged in firefight with security forces.

Two soldiers died and four others were injured in an ongoing anti-militancy operation in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, where a group of militants was engaged in a firefight by the security forces in a forest area on Saturday (August 10, 2024).

“The encounter started at Ahlan Gagarmandu area of Anantnag district. Police and security forces are on the job,” a police spokesman said.

Two civilians were also injured in the crossfire, officials said.

Ahlan is a forest area of Anantnag that connects with the Chenab Valley in the Jammu region, which saw heightened militancy this year.

According to them, the skirmish began when a group of terrorists opened fire at the joint search parties comprising Army troopers, including para commandos, and local police.

In the ensuing gun battle, six Army personnel and two civilians were injured, officials said, adding the injured soldiers were promptly taken to a nearby hospital where two died shortly after arrival.

Additional troops were sent to the encounter site to throw multiple layers of cordons around the trapped militants.