Two militants, believed to be Pakistani cadre of banned lashkar-e-Tayyeba outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday. Police said a vast forest area has been cordoned off to search for more militants suspected to be hiding in the area.
Defence sources said that police personnel and army cordoned off Wudar Bala area in Hafrada forests of north Kashmir’s Handwara during Thursday night following information that a group of militants was present in the locality. Sources said that while the village was being cordoned off, the militants were in a local mosque. They came out and opened fire on the security forces ensuing a heavy exchange of fire.
During the exchange of fire, two foreign militants, believed to be Pakistani nationals, were shot dead. Superintendent of Police Jeelani Wani told reporters that the militants are suspected to be Pakistanis and some recoveries from them indicate that they are associated with leT outfit.
Two AK 47 rifles, 06 AK magazines, 04 UBGl, 46 AK rounds, 2 Radio sets, 2 maps, 2 pouches and a diary was recovered from the encounter site, police said.