2 militants killed in Anantnag

Two militants believed to be associated with a proscribed outfit — possibly Jaish-e-Muhammad — were killed in a fierce gunfight raging in woods of southern Anantnag district since Wednesday morning. However, the authorities said that the identities of the slain men are being ascertained. The internet services in Anantnag have been suspended “as a precautionary measure,” they said.

The Army said that the operation to flush out militants from Shalgul forest area of Srigufwara belt of Anantnag was launched following an input from the J&K police. The police sources said that its counterinsurgency Special Operations Group along with the Army’s 3 Rashtriya Rifles moved in the woods on learning about the presence of four militants including an IED ‘expert’.

Initial reports quoting unnamed local police officials had said that all the four militants have been killed but later the police officially clarified that only two of them have been “neutralised” and that the operation was still underway. Local sources said that the Army also used a helicopter and drones for the surveillance of the area during the operation.

A statement issued by the police here said when, during the jointly launched cordon-andsearch operation, the presence of militants was established they were given an opportunity to surrender.

“However, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.”