A soldier, who went missing during the ongoing encounter with terrorists in Anantnag district Jammu and Kashmir, died on Friday, taking the number of soldiers killed in action to four. The gun battle entered day three on Friday.
The slain soldier was reported missing since Thursday. Three security personnel, including a Colonel commanding a battalion and a Major, and a Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed in a gunfight with terrorists on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, security officials said during joint security operations against terrorists in Anantnag area, forces dropped grenades on suspected terrorist hideout locations using drones.
Grenade launchers were also being used by troops to target the group of terrorists hiding in the area, they said.
The Kokernag forest area in Anantnag has been cordoned off and search operations are on. The security personnel has been firing at the place where they believe the militants are holed up.
Locals have reportedly said intermittent firing has been ongoing near the area that has been encircled by the security forces.
On Thursday, police had said two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including local commander Uzair Khan, have been surrounded by forces. The terrorists are believed to be hiding in a natural cave in the mountains.