2 militants, associate killed in gunfight

Our Correspondent

Anantnag, April 25

Two militants and one of their associates were killed in a gunfight in the Goripora area of Awantipora in Pulwama district this morning.

“The militants were hiding in an apple orchard with one of their associates,” a senior police official said, adding that the orchard was cordoned off early Saturday morning.

The militants were asked to surrender, but they tried to flee resorting to intense firing, he said. “The security forces retaliated, killing two militants and their associate,” the police official said. Arms, ammunition and some incriminating material were seized from the hideout of the militants.

The militants could not be identified, as has been the case with the past three gunfights in south Kashmir. Ten militants and one over-ground worker have been killed in four gunfights and the police have not disclosed their identity so far.

The bodies are being taken to north Kashmir for burial.

Late Friday, two militants were killed in a shootout in Anantnag district while they were trying to flee after abducting a policeman from Kulgam district. The policeman was rescued safe and sound.