Jammu and Kashmir: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants killed in encounter

Srinagar: Two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a former policeman, were killed on Thursday in a gun battle with security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Vehil village of Shopian, 55 km from here, after the troops of 62 Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation in the area, an army official said.

He said two militants were killed in the encounter. Two weapons were recovered from the militants.

The official said the dead militants were identified as Naseer Ahmad Pandit and Inamul Haq alias Waseem Malla, both wanted militants of Hizbul Mujahideen.

Pandit had joined militant ranks after deserting police force last year. He was posted on security duty at the residence of PDP MLA and then worked with minister Altaf Bukhari at the time of quitting the force.