Srinagar, April 17: Militants gave the slip to a joint team of police and army during a gun battle in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said on Sunday.

An Army soldier was killed in the initial phase of the encounter at Watnar Kokernag area of district on Saturday afternoon.

According to officials, a joint team of Police and army had launched a cordon and search operation in the area following inputs about the presence of militants.

As the joint team approached towards the suspected spot, they said, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering off the gunfight. Subsequently, they said, one army trooper of 19RR received serious bullet wounds and was immediately shifted to nearby hospital. However he succumbed to his injuries, they said.

Meanwhile after initial exchange of the fire, no fresh contact with militants was established even as searches continued till early this morning, the officials said.

A police officer said  that the operation has now been called off as militants managed to flee “either initially or went the night took full effect.” gns