The gunfight between militants and security forces in the Kreeri area of Baramulla district continued for the second day on Sunday. Two militants were killed, and four houses were destroyed in the encounter, which went on throughout the night. The firefight began on Saturday when troops of the 29 Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off Behrampura village in the search of militants. The 29 RR Commanding Officer, Colonel G.S. Sarna, who was leading a raiding party, was killed by militants and four soldiers were injured. The security forces destroyed four houses in their bid to flush out the militants. The whole area continued to rattle with gunfire till reports last came in. The exchange of fire was so intense that a bullet hit Aaqib (6) in Kreeri town, 4 km away from the site of the encounter. Reports said that the boy had been admitted to hospital.
While the Army spokesman, Colonel Hemant Juneja, confirmed that two militants had been killed, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Viplav Kumar, said only one body had been found. "Maybe the other body is under the debris. The operation is still on, and nothing can be said," he told The Hindu . All villagers had been evacuated, Mr. Kumar said.