Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday, second such encounter in the past 24 hours.
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“Both have been identified as Shakir Majid Najar and Hanan Ahmad Seh from Shopian district. Both joined militancy in the month of March 2023. Further Investigation going on,” Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said.
Acting on specific input about the presence of militants in the Wanigam Payeen Kreeri area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, security forces launched a cordon and search operation there early Thursday morning, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired upon a search party of the forces, who retaliated.
In the exchange of firing, two militants were killed, the official said, adding that their identification and group affiliation was being ascertained.
This is the second encounter in the last 24 hours in the Valley after a brief lull.
Two militants were killed when encounter took place after the security forces foiled an infiltration bid near the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector of Kupwara district on May 3, 2023.
These encounters took place at a time when Kashnir is set to host G20 meeting later this month. Security has been heightened across the Valley.
NIA searches in Baramulla
Meanwhile, the The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at four places in Baramulla district looking for evidence of militant activities, officials said.
NIA searched four places in Old Town of Baramulla district, in north Kashmir, in a case related to militancy in the Union Territory, the officials said.
The NIA sleuths were accompanied by police and CRPF, they said.
The searches were going on till last reports came in, they said, adding further details were awaited.
( With inputs from PTI)
