Two militants killed in Anantnag encounter

Srinagar:  Two militants have been killed by security forces in the 36-hour gunbattle in Bijebhara area of Anantnag district of Kashmir which ended on Friday.
The bodies of the two militants were recovered from the debris of the house at Arwani in Bijbehara area on Friday  morning after security forces blew up the building using explosives, a police official said.
He said one of the bodies was severely burnt. However, an army official said they were still sifting through the debris and a final statement on the incident will be issued once the operation was called off.
One army jawan was injured in the gunfight that began in the early hours on Thursday.
Security forces had cordoned off the area on Wednesday evening following information about presence of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants there.
A 24-year-old youth died allegedly after being wounded by a “stray bullet” near the site of encounter.
Arif Shah, a resident of Sangam area of Anantnag district, was hit when security  forces were dealing with a group which was indulging in stone-pelting near the encounter site, the official said. However, locals alleged that Shah was killed in security forces action against protesters.
The police official said the slain militants were both locals and identified them as Majid Mohiuddin Zargar of Qoimoh in neighbouring Kulgam district and Ruhul Amin Dar of Vessu in Anantnag district.
“The bodies have been handed over to their kin for last rites,” he added.
Meanwhile, normal life was affected in Kashmir on Friday due to the strike called by separatist groups though transport – both public and private – was  plying in many parts of the city here.  Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments remained closed due to the strike. (PTI)