Two Hizb ultras killed in Kulgam gunfight

Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, May 30

Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Kulgam district of south Kashmir today.

While police officials were yet to ascertain their identities, sources claimed they were locals — Shakir Ittoo of Khodweni area and Parvez Pandit of Wanpora in the district.

The gunfight started after a cordon and search operation was launched following inputs regarding the presence of militants at Wanpora village early this morning, a police official said.

“The militants holed up inside a house were asked to surrender. However, they opened fire, prompting retaliation by the security forces. Following a fierce exchange of gunfire, both militants were killed,” the official said.

He said the bodies of the militants were retrieved and their identities were being ascertained. “Arms, ammunition and some incriminating material have been retrieved from their possession,” he added.

Meanwhile, local youths attacked security forces with stones at the encounter scene. The security personnel retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and aerial shots to disperse them. Mobile Internet services were snapped in the district soon after the gunfight began and remained suspended throughout the day. The families of the slain militant staged a sit-in near the gunfight scene.

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