2 Hizb militants killed in encounter in Kulgam
Srinagar, May 22: Two militants were killed Wednesday in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, police said.
Acting on a credible input about presence of militants in Gopalpora area of Kulgam, security forces launched a cordon and search operation, a police spokesman said.
“During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” the spokesman said.
He said in the ensuing gun-battle, two militants were killed and the bodies retrieved from the site of encounter.
The spokesman said arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site of encounter.
A police official identified the slain militants as Zahid Ahmad Mantoo, son of Bashir Ahmad Mantoo from Feeripora Shopian, and Irfan Manzoor, son of Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, resident of Paonwhi Kulgam.
He said Zahid was active from 25 August 2018 while Irfan had joined militancy on April 05, 2019.
Both were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, he said, adding that their bodies were handed over to the next of their kin.
Witnesses said that multiple rounds of funeral prayers were held for the slain at their native areas.
