Seven guerrillas, soldier killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - Seven separatist guerrillas and a soldier were killed in two separate operations in north Kashmir Monday as well as an infiltration bid foiled, an official said.

A senior police officer said soldiers detected and foiled an infiltration bid in the Baktoor area of Gurez in north Kashmir’s Bandipore district.

“The group of infiltrators was surrounded and challenged to surrender. However, they opened fire at the surrounding troops triggering a gunfight in which four unidentified militants were killed. One soldier also died while another was injured,” the officer said.

Troops also carried out searches in the Hafruda forest area of adjoining Kupwara district during which the hiding guerrillas fired at the security forces.

Three guerrillas were killed in the ensuing gunfight, which was still continuing, the officer said.