Srinagar: Two militants, believed to be affiliated with Lashker-e-Toiba, were killed in gunfight with government forces in Chadoora area of central Budgam district, police said on Wednesday.
“Based on a credible input about the presence of (militants) in GopalPora area of Chadoora Budgam, a cordon-and-search-operation was launched in the intervening night jointly by Police and (government) forces in the area,” a police spokesperson said in a statement issued here.
As the searches were going on, the spokesperson said, the search party was fired upon by the militants. “The fire was retaliated, leading to a gunfight,” he said.
In the ensuing encounter, he said, two militants were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. “Their identities and affiliations are being ascertained,” he said. however, sources said that the slain duo were affiliated with Lashker-e-Toiba.
“Incriminating material including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter,” the police spokesperson said.
The police also issued request to citizens not to venture inside 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 sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any.” Meanwhile, authorities have snapped internet services in the central Budgam district.
