Two militants were killed in a gunfight with the government forces in Langate area of Handwara last night, police said.
A spokesman said that the state police and security forces launched a joint search operation based on “credible” inputs about the presence of militants in Galoora area of Langate.
“During the searches, the militants fired on the search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed,” he said.
“Arms and ammunition was also recovered from the site of encounter. Search in the area is going on.”
Police has registered a case in this regard and the investigation has been initiated in the instant matter, he said.
The slain were identified as Liyaqat, a resident of Harwan Sopore and Furqan (18), a resident of Langate area of Handwara.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the outfit claimed that the slain militants killed several forces personnel ‘before embracing their own death.’
He also claimed as soon as the government forces laid a siege on several Langate villages, Commander Umar Khalid “courageously stopped forces personnel to reach his other associates.”
“Several militants were able to break the cordon and escape into Langate woods. However, Khalid Umar and Furqan bhai were hit by bullets and embraced martyrdom,” the spokesperson added.