Srinagar, Aug 23: A day after a lady was killed in a gunfight between militants and forces, two militants died in separate encounters in north Kashmir’s Handwara area on Tuesday.
 Superintendent of Police Handwara, Muhammad Aslam said the encounter was extension of the previous day when a lady died in “cross firing” as militants managed to escape from the cordon.
 “We have increased the area of the cordon,” Aslam said. “During the searches by army units and police, we were able to establish the contact with the militants at Lachipora and Dardhaji area.”
 After challenging them, the SP said an encounter broke at both the places at 1 pm, and 2 pm.
 “The militants have come down in the villages bordering the forests. However they were not hiding in the house,” he said. “In the heavy exchange of fire, two militants were killed”.
 He said both the militants are unidentified and are believed to be part of the group that escaped the cordon on Monday at Pudula forests.
 “We have recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, maps, 7 AK magazines and other ammunition from their possession,” the SP said. “The operation is on.”
 On the other hand, police sources said the Army and Police laid siege around Hafruda forests after a fresh group of militants was reported to have infiltrated into the area.
 “We believe they have infiltrated on July 30. We have laid siege and started search operations from August 2,” police sources said. 
 He said during the course of time, top commanders of Army have also visited the forests to have an overview of the ongoing operations.
 Sources said police, 21 RR, 6 RR, 30 RR and para commandos are taking part in the operation.
 On Monday, a 40-year-old woman, Saleema, was killed while another civilian sustained injuries in the encounter between militants and Army in the same area. The police said lady got killed during the cross fire, while as, the family members today alleged that she was killed in the Army firing.
 Raja begum, who suffered minor injury during the encounter said on Monday night nine militants arrived at their dhok (mud and wooden huts) and asked for the food.
 She said as the militants were having the food, instantly the Army opened indiscriminate fire on the hutments. She said Army personnel’s did not ask them to come out when they were fired upon.
 As the militants managed to break the cordon, Begum said, one among them was injured as blood was oozing out of his body.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST