2 militants killed in J K encounters; One operation still underway

Srinagar: Two militants were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Pulwama and Shopian districts in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Meej in Pampore area of Pulwama, in South Kashmir, this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said the operation turned into an encounter after militants fired upon the search party, inviting a retaliation.

One militant has been killed so far, the official said, adding the operation was still in progress.
While the police officer gave no further details, an Army spokesman said, the militants entered a nearby mosque to take refuge.

Meanwhile, in the second anti-militancy operation of the day, security forces killed a militant at Munand-Bandpava area of Shopian, also in south Kashmir, the police official said. He said the identity and group affiliation of both the slain militants was being ascertained.