Two militants were Tuesday killed in two different encounters that raged between militants and forces in Kupwara and Shopian districts of Kashmir, an official said.The two militants were killed in two operations in north Kashmir's Kupwara district and south Kashmir's Shopian district.SSP Kupwara, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat told KNS one militant was killed in an ongoing encounter while two more are believed to be hiding in Zunrishi Chowkbal forest area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.He said that a Lashkar-e-Toiba was killed during an encounter, which raged between forces and militants after launching a cordon and search operation in the forest area following specific information about a group of militants hiding in the area.“At around 6 am today, the exchange of fire began,” he said.“Search operation is ongoing to trace the other militants believed to be hiding in the forest area,” he said when the report was last filed.
Meanwhile, one militant affiliated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was also killed in a brief gunfight that raged between militants and forces in Pehlipora village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, an official said.He said that the encounter raged on late Monday evening when security forces laid a cordon.“In the exchange of fire, one militant, identified as Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Nazneenpora was killed. The operation is ongoing. We suspect more militants hiding in the area, an official told KNS.The defence spokesman in a statement issued to KNS said that one AK 56 Rifle, ammunition and other war like stores were recovered from the slain militant.Meanwhile, amid pro-freedom slogans, the militant who was killed in a brief encounter was laid to rest at Nazneenpora village.According to the locals, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of the slain militant.The militant according to locals is survived by father, mother and two children. (KNS)