SRINAGAR: A terrorist was killed and a

soldier injured

in a brief firefight between security forces and terrorists in Sopore area of

north Kashmir

’s

Baramulla district

Saturday. A pistol, grenades and some rounds of ammunition were seized from the encounter site, police said.
The gun battle erupted around afternoon when terrorists shot at security personnel during a joint naka checking at Watergam area in Sopore’s Rafiabad, attracting retaliatory fire from the forces.

Reinforcements were rushed to the spot to aid the anti-terror operation. A soldier sustained bullet injuries in the initial exchange of fire and was evacuated to the hospital, said a senior police officer.
The slain terrorist’s identity and affiliation were being ascertained, said the officer. The area was cordoned off after the firefight and was being combed by a joint team of the Army, CRPF and J&K Police till the time of going to press.
The anti-terror operation came amid heightened security preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, with security agencies strengthening measures to ensure the polls are conducted smoothly.