Army Major killed, colonel injured in Poonch encounter

POONCH - An Army Major was killed and six other personnel including a Colonel were injured in a fierce encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch area last night.

According to sources, the encounter took place when the troops of 37 Rashtriya Rifles led by Colonel Ajay Katoch and Major Amit Phunge moved into Beri Rakh forests in Mendhar to trace the terrorists after locals reported suspected movements in the area.

The Colonel received a bullet injury in his neck, while Major took the brunt of heavy firing by militants and died on the spot.

The injured included Dinesh Kumar and Satinder Kumar, both Signalmen, Naik Jasbir Singh, Sepoy Samir Kumar and Rifleman Dasharat.

No information was available if any of the terrorists were killed in the encounter.

The Army cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. (ANI)