Srinagar, Jan 30: Two local militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit surrendered before government forces during an encounter in Lelhar area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said on Saturday. A senior police officer said that both the militants surrendered after being given an offer as per an SOP during “live-action”. Two AK-47 rifles were also recovered from their possession, the officer said. One among the surrendered militant had suffered injury during the gunfight which started last night. He has been subsequently shifted to hospital for treatment, the officer said. The surrender of two militants comes less than 24 hours after Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar announced during a presser that the main focus of police would be the surrender of local militants. The gunfight had ensued after a joint team of police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Lelhar after specific inputs about the presence of the militants. As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants had fired upon them, triggering off a gunfight.
