The Army said on Sunday that it lost two men in fierce gun battles which led to the killing in Jammu and Kashmir of eight militants including those who "abducted and killed" Lt Ummer Fayaz in May last year.
Two civilians were also killed in two different operations, one each in Shopian and Anantnag districts, while a security offensive was going on elsewhere in Shopian, the Army, police as well as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said.
Addressing a joint press conference at Awantipora in Pulwama district, Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt, Commander of the Army's Srinagar-based 15 Corps, said: "Today is a very special day for all our forces.
"We have killed eight militants in two operations… A third operation against militants is still going on in Kachdoora village."
Gen Bhatt said two militants responsible for killing Lt Fayaz when he was visiting his family on a holiday had been eliminated.
"I appeal to youths not to get lured by weapons. Anybody who uses weapons will be dealt with in the same manner we dealt with the terrorists today."
