Two militants were killed in a gunfight with the government forces in Shatgund village of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday.
A police official confirmed the killing of two militants in the gunfight that raged intermittently since 2:30 am in the village following a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO).
He said the identity of slain militants is being ascertained.
Giving details, the official said the police and other forces cordoned off Shatgund Qalamabad village following intelligence inputs about presence of the militants.
There was a lull in firing at around 9 AM, prompting the police to initiate search operation at the gunfight site, but the same had to be suspended after firing resumed after 15 minutes, he said.
Our correspondent Shah Muzamil who was present near the site of the gunfight said that intense exchange of fire took place for nearly an hour from 11 am.
Quoting locals, he said that the bodies of the two militants were taken away by the forces from the site of the gunfight.
Reports said that scholar-turned-militant, Manan Wani, who was enrolled as a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and joined militant ranks in January this year, was also trapped in the gunfight.However, the police termed it as just a speculation.
Authorities have suspended the Internet services in the Kupwara district “as a precautionary measure”. Schools and colleges have also been closed in the district.
Educational institutions have also been closed in parts of valley in wake of the gunfight.
Meanwhile, clashes have erupted near the site of the gunfight with youth pelting the forces with stones which responded by firing tear gas.
Several protesters were reportedly injured in the clashes which were going on at the time of filing of this report.