Two militants were killed in an overnight gun battle with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian on Sunday, officials said on Sunday.

The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Khudpora area on Saturday evening after they received information about the presence of some militants in the area, a police official said. The search turned into a gun battle after militants began firing at security forces, who retaliated.

Police said two militants were killed in the gunfight.

"A couple of terrorists managed to escape from the site as blood trails have been seen there," the official said.

Police identified the militants killed as Mohammad Irfan Bhat and Shahid Mir.

“While Bhat had joined militant ranks last year, Mir was part of an arms case from 2004,” a police spokesperson said.

"Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, have been recovered from the encounter site. Police have registered a case and started investigations," he said.

Mir’s family however denied he was a militant. They claimed on Sunday that security forces had taken Mir away on Saturday afternoon.

Courtesy: Tribune: 4th Nov, 2018