Two Hizb militants killed as Sopore gunfight ends

Srinagar: Two local militants were killed in Sopore gunfight Wednesday in north Kashmir as the encounter between forces and the holed-up militants ended, sources said.

The slain militants, belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit, have been identified as Gulzar Ahmad of Brathkalan, Sopore and Basit Ahmad of Pattan, Andergam.

Police sources said that two AK 47 rifles, 2 hand grenade, 6 magazines and a pouch was recovered from the encounter site.

Earlier, an operation against the holed-up militants was launched in Pazalpora area, some ten kilometers away from the northern Apple town late last night.

The area was cordoned off last evening and the operation was suspended for the night, police sources said, adding that today morning a contact with the trapped militants was established which was followed by the gunfight.

They said a joint team of 22 Rashtriya Rifles, SOG and CRPF participated in the operation in Pazalpora area of Sopore.