Srinagar, July 24 (KNS): Three unidentified militants were killed and an army soldier was injured in an encounter that broke out between Security forces and militants in Sumlar and Aragam forest areas of North Kashmir's Bandipora district on Saturday, officials said. 

An official told Kashmir News Service (KNS), that after receiving intelligence inputs that a group of two to four militants were hiding in the forests area of Sumlar and Aragam, security forces including Rashtriya Rifles, police and the CRPF surrounded the area on Saturday morning. 

He said that three unidentified militants have been killed during the day-long gunfight while an army soldier was also injured and was later shift to 92 base hospital Srinagar for treatment. 

The official said that the identity and group affiliation of slain militants is being ascertained. 

Meanwhile, police in a statement said that on a specific input generated by Police regarding the presence of militants in the forest area of Shokbaba Sumlar-Aragam area of Bandipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Bandipora Police, 13RR, 14RR, Para (SF), MARCOS and CRPF in the said area.

"During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the joint search party, " it said. 

The police said that the fire was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the initial exchange of fire, one army personnel of 14RR received gunshot injuries. He was immediately evacuated to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. 

"In the ensuing encounter, so far three unidentified militants were killed. However, operation in the area is still going on," the statement reads. 

"Further details shall be communicated as and when the operation will conclude," the police said. (KNS)