Two militants killed in Pulwama encounter

SRINAGAR: Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Monday. J&K police suspected that three more militants were holed up as the gun battle raged on. Militants opened fire during a cordon-and-search operation by the Army and special operation group of state police in the Bahmoo village of Pulwama, triggering a gunfight.

The two slain militants have been identified as Kifayat and Jehangir of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. At least five stone-pelting protestors received bullet injuries near the encounter sites. “The encounter is on and three more militants could be there,” IGP Muneer Khan told ET.

In a separate incident, militants opened fire at a police party in a market area in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, critically injuring a policeman and a woman. The policeman, identified as Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, has received gunshot injuries in his throat. The civilian has been identified as Samit Kour, a resident of Chattisingpora.