Neyaz Elahi
Srinagar (NVI): Two militants were killed while two soldiers sustained injured in an ongoing encounter at south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Officials said that a gunfight raged between Joint Forces including soldiers from 44 Rashtriya Rifles and militants after a siege was laid around Kanigam village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district yesterday.
As the search operation was launched, militants fired upon search party, leading to an encounter.
Official sources said that during the exchange of fire two trapped militants have been killed, while two soldiers from 44 RR also sustained injuries and they have been shifted to hospital.
Police sources also said that there were inputs about the presence of two militants in the Kanigam village of Shopian.
The slain militants are identified as Asif Ahmad Lone of Turkawangam Shopian who went missing in the middle of June this year and Amir Hassan Bhat of Malbagh Shopian who joined militant ranks last month, the reports said.
A police official further said the operation had been halted for the night while during morning hours two militants were killed. He added that identity of the slain militants is being ascertained.
Meanwhile, Joint Forces also fired tear smoke shells to disperse youth who pelted stones on them in outer cordon area. The operation was underway till the filing of this report though firing has stopped.
-RJV
