Srinagar: Two militants were killed and six forces’ personnel were wounded in a fierce gunfight in Sothu Kothair area of Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar on Wednesday morning, police said.
Reports said that the gunfight broke out around 2 AM in the area following a search operation.
Two militants have been killed and six forces’ personnel wounded in the gunfight, DIG central Kashmir VK Birdi told reporters.
“Security forces in the outskirts of Srinagar at Wanbal J/D of P/S Nowgam, launched a cordon and search operation today morning based on credible input about the presence of the militants,” the police statement read. “During search operation, militants fired upon the search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.”
“In the ensuing encounter, two militants were neutralized. The identity of the killed militants is being ascertained,” the statement read.
The slain militants were reportedly identified as PhD scholar Sabzar Sofi and Asif Ahmad Gojri – both residents of Anantnag. However, there was no immediate official confirmation.
Massive clashes broke out in the area with protesters taking to streets to disrupt the operation.
Meanwhile, Internet was snapped in Srinagar and Budgam as a “precautionary measure” to prevent law and order situation.
Schools and colleges have also been closed in Srinagar district.
The police statement said, “Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. Citizens are once again requested not to enter the encounter site as such an area can prove dangerous due to uncleared explosive materials. ”
In reference to Kulgam carnage, the police statement said: “People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosives materials if any.”
Meanwhile, the police has registered a case and investigation has been initiated, the statement read.
