7 Indian troops killed in held Kashmir

SRINAGAR: In an encounter between Indian Army troops and Kashmiri mujahideen, an officer and seven troops were killed and many more injured.

It is suspected that five Mujahideen were also injured in the shootout.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel J.S Brar defence spokesman at Srinagar, while confirming the incident disclosed that on specific information regarding presence of Mujahideen in the area, Army troops carried out search and cordon operation in Shamswari forests of Kupwara district.

The mujahideen surrounded the troops and did not allow them to flee. In a continuous gunfight between the Mujahideen and Army troops, Major Mohit Sharma of 1 Para along with his seven troops and eleven civilian were killed while five Mujahideen and equal number of civilians were injured.

Additional troops were rushed to the densely forested area and encounter was in progress when last reports came in.