Srinagar:  Four militants were killed and a soldier was injured in an encounter which ensued after troops launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the woods in north Kashmir district of Baramulla on Wednesday.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that following a tip-off about the presence of militants; Army, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint search operation at Rafiabad, Sopore, Baramulla district of north Kashmir this morning.

He said the entire forest area of Rafiabad was sealed and a massive search operation was launched.

However, when the forces were moving deep into forest, militants hiding there, opened fire in which a soldier was injured. The injured was later shifted to Base hospital here.

The  forces retaliated, ensuing in an encounter, he said, adding four militants were killed in the exchange of fire.

He said the operation was going on when the reports last came in.

“The security force team was specially inserted into the area of operations and has done an excellent job by neutralising these militants and thwarting their nefarious designs. Well done,” Lt Gen A K Bhatt said.

Government forces have up the ante at militants in the last couple of days as about nine militants were killed in different encounters in the valley during this period.