Two local militants of the Hizbul Mujhaideen were killed in the wee hours of Wednesday in a gunfight with security forces in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.

The slain militants were identified as Zahid Ahmad Mantoo of Feeripora village in Shopian district and Irfan Manzoor Bhat, a resident of Paniwa village in Kulgam district.

Mantoo was a part of the Hizb ranks since August last year while Irfan had joined the outfit only last month. The gunfight took place in the Gopalpora area of Kulgam district. As per police reports from the district, a cordon and search operation was started in the Gopalpora area at 1 am.

“The militants hiding in a house sensed trouble and in a bid to escape, they opened fire. The fire was retaliated and in the process the militants were killed,” a senior police officer said.

Local sources said during the gunfight, at least three houses were damaged by the use of explosives during the encounter. Clashes also erupted around the site of the gunfight. Two persons were injured by pellets fired by the security forces.

Courtesy:The Tribune,May 23,2019