Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said today.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Khudwani area of Kulgam district yesterday following specific information about the presence of some militants there, a police official said.
During searches, the militants opened fire at the security forces who retaliated, leading to a gunfight. One jawan has been injured in the operation.
"Two militants were killed in the encounter," he said, adding their identity and group affiliation was being ascertained.
The development comes as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh began his four-day visit to the Kashmir Valley where he addressed policemen in the Anantnag Police Lines and Central Reserve Police Force troopers in Khanabal area of the district.
His visit, that began Saturday, was preceded by back-to-back encounters in the restive Kashmir Valley.
An encounter broke out on Saturday night in Kashmir’s Shopian district. At least two terrorists were gunned down in the encounter with security forces, while another surrendered.
The surrendered militant has been identified as Adil Hussain Dar from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The killed terrorists have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat and Mohammad Altaf Rathar, both belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen.
Jammu and Kashmir Police officials assured him that he would not be killed after which he emerged from the debris of the house and laid down his AK-47 in front of the police officials.
This was for the first time in recent months that a militant has laid down his arms during an encounter.
One policeman was martyred and two others injured in Saturday’s encounter when militants attacked them in the town, police said.
The policemen were on routine duties at the Anantnag bus stand when they were attacked.
"Constable Imtiyaz Ahmad was killed and two other policemen have been injured," a police official said, adding that the injured policemen have been shifted to hospital and the area surrounded for searches.
(With Agencies)
