Two militants killed, CRPF jawan injured in Kashmir encounter

Srinagar: Two militants were killed and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was injured in a fierce encounter by security forces in the wee hours on Friday in Khanmoh area on the outskirts of Srinagar, a police spokesman said.A Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched at Balhama, Khanmoh, on the city outskirts on Thursday after a group of militants attacked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mohammad Anwar Khan and tried to snatch weapons from his two Personnel Security Officers (PSO). 

The attack was repulsed but the militants opened fire in which a PSO, identified as Bilal Ahmad, was injured who was hospitalized. Mr Khan escaped unhurt in the attack.When the security forces were conducting searches in the area, the militants hiding there opened firing with automatic weapons in which a CRPF jawan was injured, he said. 

Security forces also retaliated the firing, ensuing an encounter. Additional security forces were rushed and entire area was sealed to foil any militant attempt to escape. The CRPF jawan was admitted to 92 Army base hospital.In the wee hours, the bodies of two militants were recovered near the encounter site, he said, adding that arms and ammunition besides incriminating materials were recovered near the encounter site.

The operation has ended. The slain militants were identified by their families as Rasiq Nabi Bhat of Tral and Shabir Dar of Awantipora, he said. The spokesman said as per police records, Bhat and Dar had joined militancy last year in the month of March and August respectively. The bodies have been handed over to their legal heirs for last rites. Further investigation was on.(UNI)