Two terrorists were killed in a gunfight with security forces on Saturday in Panzgam village of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
An encounter had broken out between the terrorists and a joint team of security forces comprising troops of 130 Battalion CRPF, 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operations Group (SOG) in Awantipora at 2:10 am.
Police said the security forces started a cordon and search operation during the night in Panzgam village after receiving information about the presence of terrorists there.
The hiding militants were challenged after which they opened fire at the security forces, triggering an encounter, according to a report in IANS.
“Two militants have been killed and their bodies have been recovered. Although firing exchanges have now stopped, the operation is still on,” a police officer said.
One of the slain militants has been identified as Showkat Ahmad Dar, a resident of Panzgam village. He belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit.
The identity and group affiliation of the other slain militant is being ascertained, informed sources said.
Meanwhile, an exchange of fire between the security forces and militants is underway at Anantnag. The area has been cordoned off. Further details are awaited.
On Thursday, six terrorists were killed in two encounters in Jammu and Kashmir.
Three terrorists were killed in the Handew area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district while, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists, including a top commander who masterminded the 2017 attack on a CRPF camp, were shot down in a gunfight with the security forces in Pulwama district.