Two militants killed in Handwara encounter: Police

Srinagar: Two militants have been killed in ongoing operation at Ganipora Kralgund area of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

A police official said that two militant have been killed in the initial exchange of fire.

He said the identity of the militants is yet to be ascertained.

The gunfight, according to the official, erupted in an orchard.

The combing operation continues, he added.

Earlier, a team of police, army’s 32 RR and CRPF launched a joint cordon-and-search operation in the area.

According to the police official, the hiding militants fired up the team The fire was retaliated, triggering of an encounter, they added.

Pertinently this was the second encounter of the day.

Earlier, an unidentified militant was killed in an encounter between security forces and militants in Molu Chitragam area of Shopian district.

An official said that a militant was killed in an encounter that broke out today afternoon.

The official said that acting on a tip-off a joint team of Police, 44 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area. “As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated triggering an encounter,” the official said, adding that “one militant was killed in the initial firing.”

He said after extensive searches, no other militant was found in the area after which the operation was called off.