Srinagar: A total of 13 persons including eight soldiers and five militants have been killed during the five day gunfight along the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Kupwara woods in Keran sector.

The death toll of soldiers rose to eight after three more, who were injured in a gunfight with militants in Kupwara woods, succumbed to their wounds.

The dead among the army men include a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) from elite Para forces.

Besides the soldiers, five militants were also killed in the gunfight which sporadically continued for several days reaching the peak on Sunday

Official sources said that while one soldier died on the spot, a number of others were injured in the fierce gunbattle in the woods.

Four of the injured personnel including a JCO from elite para force succumbed to injuries on Sunday while three others lost the battle for life at the army’s health facility today.

On 4th day of the operation on Saturday evening, the army had rushed elite 4-para troopers to Rangdoori, Guguldara and Teen Behak area of Jumgund.

The operation was launched initially by army’s 8 JAT after intercepting movement of a group of militants on Wednesday.

Besides, they said, the searches continued along Awaoora, Kumkadi, Zurhuma, Safawali, Batpora, Haihama areas by the joint team of army’s 41 RR, 57 RR, 160 TA and SOG Kupwara. (GNS)