Two Hizbul militants killed in Kashmir, said police

Security forces gunned down two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, who were part of a hit squad and responsible for civilian killings, in an encounter in Pulwama on Friday, said the police.

The encounter took place around 2:40 am in the Khrew area, when the army along with the J&K Police and paramilitary forces launched a cordon and search operation, drawing heavy fire from the militants. One of the militants killed was identified as Musaib Mushtaq, a resident of Khrew, and Muzamil Ahmad, a resident of Chakoora area, who had joined the militant ranks recently, said the police.

The militants were repeatedly asked to surrender but they refused, said the army. “Intermittent exchange of fire continued throughout the night. At around 6:30 am, one terrorist tried to escape from the house, by firing on the troops, but was neutralised. The second terrorist continued to fire from the house but was contained in the house by the troops on ground. By 9:15 am, the second terrorist was also neutralised,” said an army statement.