Srinagar: Two militants were killed in an encounter by security forces during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) early Wednesday morning in the central Kashmir district of Budgam, where mobile internet service has been suspended as a precautionary measure.
A police spokesman said that CASO was launched by the troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF at Gopalpora Chadoora area of the district in the wee hours following a tip off about the presence of militants.
However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular area, they came under heavy fire from the militants who were trying to escape under the cover of darkness, he said, adding that the fire was returned ensuing in an encounter.
Security forces used search lights to find the militants in nearby open field. Later, two militants were killed in the encounter, police spokesman said, adding that large number of arms and ammunition were recovered. The identity of the militants was being ascertained, he said. The bodies have been recovered from open field and handed over to police.Additional security forces have been deployed in the nearby areas to prevent any demonstrations.
He said incriminating material including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter.
Citizens are requested not to venture inside encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosive materials if any, he said.
This was the third encounter in the Kashmir valley since Sunday and second during the past 24 hours. Eight militants and a soldier were killed in these encounters at Kulgam, Pulwama and in Budgam.(UNI)