Encounter on in South Kashmir, 1 terrorist killed

In the second encounter within two days in south Kashmir, one terrorist was killed and three security men injured in an ongoing gun battle in the Tangmarg village of south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday evening.

A senior police officer said troops of 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and police cordoned off a house in Tangmarg village following information about presence of terrorists inside.

"When the terrorists were challenged to surrender, they opened indiscriminate automatic gunfire on the surrounding police and RR troops, resulting in injuries to two troopers and a special police officer. They were evacuated to hospital for treatment," the officer said.

"The fire was returned ensuing an encounter, which is still going on. We have gunned down one of the holed up terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Tayiba."

"The area has now been floodlit and the encounter site marked off with razor fitted wire so that the holed up terrorists don't escape under the cover of darkness."

The encounter comes a day after Defence Minister A K Antony reviewed the security situation in the state.

Antony had stressed on enhancing vigil along the borders and the Line of Control (LoC) keeping in view the increased attempts of infiltration in 2009 as compared to 2008.

He also said that the local police must gear up to take over complete responsibility of security across the state.