Two militants of Ansar Gazwatul Hind (AGH) were killed by security forces on Tuesday in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Shopian, official sources said.
A police spokesman however, said identity and affiliation of the slain militant are being ascertained. He said large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.
He said acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants, troops of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint CASO at village Awneer in Shopian in the wee hours of Tuesday.
However, after sealing all exit points, when security forces launched house to house searches in the area, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, spokesman said, adding that the fire was retaliated ensuing in an encounter.
He said two militants were killed in the encounter and their bodies were recovered. Large cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from the encounter site.
Meanwhile, he said citizens were requested not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any.
Sources said the slain militants were identified as Sayar Ahmad Bhat, resident of Manchowa Kulgam and Shakir Ahmad Wagay of Awneera Shopian. The militants were affiliated with AGH militant outfit and were wanted by law in several cases.
They said additional security forces have been deployed in the areas adjacent to Awneera to prevent demonstration.
Meanwhile, mobile internet service has been suspended in Shopian as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours.
